Russians fly to reopened Iraqi airport

Iraq's international airport is ready for regular flights

An airliner carrying a Russian Government delegation has landed at Baghdad's international airport in defiance of the United Nations embargo.

The plane, a Russian Yak-22, flew into Saddam International Airport, which was ceremonially reopened on Thursday, 10 years after international sanctions were imposed on Iraq following its invasion of Kuwait.

The UN sanctions allow only aircraft carrying humanitarian supplies to fly to or from Iraq.

An Iraqi plane landed at the airport on the day it reopened

The Russian officials are expected to discuss the sanctions - which Moscow wants lifted - as well as developing bilateral trade.

The Russian Emergencies Minister, Sergei Shoygu, had been due to lead the delegation, but he decided at the last minute not to travel to Baghdad because of the submarine disaster in the Barents Sea. He was replaced on the trip by his deputy, Ruslan Tsalikov.

Russian aid delivery

Russia's Itar-Tass news agency said the plane was carrying 3.5 tonnes of humanitarian aid, mainly baby food, medicine and medical equipment.

The Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, recently said he believed there was no obstacle to the restoration of air links between Russia and Iraq.

Russia has consistently condemned the air exclusion zone and the international sanctions in general, saying they have proven ineffective.

The Iraqi Transport Minister, Ahmad Murtada, has said several countries and humanitarian organisations friendly to Iraq have expressed interest in using the airport.

Airport terminals have been refurbished

However, correspondents say the only arrivals Iraq can expect in the near future are private flights by activists protesting against the embargo.

Private flights are not specifically banned by the embargo.

The airport has been undergoing repairs to modernise it in readiness for the eventual resumption of air traffic.

Last week the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, defied US criticism to become the first head of state to visit Iraq since the sanctions were imposed.

Iraqi state-run newspapers report that French activists opposed to the UN sanctions are planning an embargo-busting flight to Baghdad next month.