Egyptians show support for Iraqis

A group of Egyptians, including several prominent artists, has arrived in the Iraqi capital Baghdad with toys and humanitarian aid for Iraqi children.

The group includes the Syrian-born actress Raghda, the feminist writer Nawal el-Saadawi and the film directer Youssef Chahine.

Ms Saadawi told reporters that the purpose of their visit was to show solidarity with the Iraqi people.

The UN imposed sanctions on Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and says they will not be lifted until Iraq eliminates its weapons of mass destruction.

But recently, the UN has allowed two aircraft carrying humanitarian aid to land in Baghdad.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service