Asylum countries of origin: Iraq

The facts and figures behind Iraq, the top country by applicant for asylum in the UK in 2002.

The figures for 2002 suggest the number of people applying for asylum from Iraq more than doubled to 14,940, from 6,705 the year before.

This propelled it to become the nationality with the highest number of people seeking asylum in the UK, over taking Afghanistan, which held the top spot in 2001.

In 2002 asylum was granted to 700 people applying from Iraq and a further 8,130 were given exceptional leave to remain.

The previous year the total allowed to stay in both categories was 2,600.

Country background:

Even before the upheaval triggered by the US-led invasion of Iraq in April 2003, the country was suffering from the combined effects of two major wars - against Iran in the 1980s and then against US-led forces following the invasion of Kuwait in 1991.

IRAQ FACTS

Population: 22 million

Capital: Baghdad

Major religion: Islam

BBCMonitoring: Full profile

Long-term international sanctions have also caused severe hardship and remain in place despite US calls for them to be lifted now Saddam Hussein's 24-year rule has ended.

Food and clean water supplies for all still need to be assured, and long term the challenges are enormous.

In 1991 the economy was described by the United Nations as pre-industrial, and it has deteriorated further since.

Civil order and new criminal justice system and political systems are top of the agenda, with the need to involve the previously persecuted Shi'a Muslims in southern Iraq and Kurds in the north.

There is also pressure from groups such as Amnesty International for those responsible for human rights abuses to be brought to justice.