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Iraqi PM: ongoing negotiations to finalize Kuwait compensations issue

BAGHDAD, Aug 8 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi said Tuesday that negotiations are ongoing to finalize compensations to Kuwait, which remain an issue for the lifting of UN Chapter 7 sanctions off Baghdad.
In a press conference, Al-Abadi said Iraq has already finalized the issue of oil-for-food with the United Nations, but that compenstations owed to the State of Kuwait remain the key issue for the lifting of Chapter 7.
"We are currently negotiating with Kuwait about this, and the issue was discussed during my last visit to Kuwait," he said.
"A Kuwaiti delegation has visited Iraq for this purpose and there is now an Iraqi delegation (which has been formed) to discuss the same issue," he added.
The Iraqi premier said he hoped the matter would be completely resolved.
He, however, did not disclose the details of the ongoing negotiations nor their results, neither did he reveal any information regarding the delegations.
Chapter 7, which demanded that Iraq's global assets be used to compensate victims of the Iraqi 1990 invasion of Kuwait, was imposed on Iraq by the UN Security Council after Kuwait's liberation.
Over the past few days, Iraq ended the issue of oil-for-food with the UN, paving the way for the payment of dues to Kuwait. (end) ahh.mb