Iraq is due to begin exporting limited amounts of oil in the next few days to buy much-needed food and medicine, under an arrangement agreed with the United Nations.

For more than seven years, Iraq has been under a stringent international embargo, which has had a dramatic affect in all areas of life.

It's not just hospitals, and welfare services which have been affected.

Libraries and book shops are also losing out, in what is one of the world's oldest centres of culture.

The range of books is now limited

In one area of Baghdad, where books have traditionally been sold on the street and Iraqis have gathered to discuss politics, art and philosophy, the number and range of books is now limited.

Iraqis say the international embargo on their country means that paper and ink are in short supply. Printing machines are also difficult to maintain because new parts are hard to obtain.

Up-to-date newspapers and magazines are scarce, depriving students of access to the latest information.

This man sent letters abroad asking for books

One Iraqi said he written to foreign countries to get books.

"I sent 20 letters to Holland, Sweden, USA, France, Britain and other countries, but the response was not sufficient," he said.

At the Saddam Hussein Library, which specialises in preserving rare and old books, it is becoming difficult to find the materials to hold the books together.

Repair of old and rare books is increasingly difficult

Some of the books date back to 1,000 years BC.

One book restorer said the chemical materials needed to preserve the books were forbidden because of sanctions.

"We are trying to save the writings by putting them into storage," he said.

According to the Iraqis, many books will perish if international sanctions are not lifted, and paper and ink is allowed back into the country.
 

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