UN Finally Lifts Saddam-Era Sanctions Against Iraq

The United Nations has finally lifted sanctions to prevent Saddam Hussein's regime from gaining weapons of mass destruction—4 years after his execution. The Security Council voted unanimously to lift sanctions on weapons and civilian nuclear power and return control of Iraq's oil and gas revenue to its government, AP reports. The sanctions had been in place since Saddam's invasion of Kuwait in 1990.

Iraq is now free to develop a civilian nuclear program, although it has no current plans to do so. Some sanctions remain in place against Iraq, all relating to the war with Kuwait, for which Iraq is still paying reparations. We are not a threat to the international community," said a Ministry of Culture official. "The United States should adhere to its commitments by helping Iraq get rid" of all the sanctions.

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