Iraq, Kuwait vow to improve ties

Kuwait has unfurled its flag in Iraq at its new embassy premises still under construction in Baghdad, in a move to repair damaged ties after decades of enmity.

The new Kuwaiti Ambassador Ali Mohammed al-Moumin hoisted on Wednesday the black, white, green and red flag in the presence of Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari in the heavily guarded Green Zone in Baghdad, the Associated Press reported.

Despite tense relations, Iraq and Kuwait pledged to work toward resolving long-standing border disputes and debt issues.

Zebari told reporters that a “strong political will is needed to solve these issues.”

“We are confident and optimistic that all these topics can be resolved,” he stated.

On August 2, 1990, Iraq under executed dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. Within two days of intense combat, most Kuwaiti armed forces were either routed or escaped to neighboring Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Iraq annexed the state of Kuwait and Saddam announced in a few days that it was the 19th province of Iraq. Kuwait was occupied for seven months until US-led forces’ direct military intervention forced the Iraqi forces to evacuate the Persian Gulf emirate.

Kuwait’s Prime Minister Nasser al-Ahmad Al-Sabah traveled to Baghdad earlier this month in the first ever visit by a Kuwaiti PM since the end of the 1991 Persian Gulf War.