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Many of Iraq’s antiquities have been looted since the 2003 US-led invasion. AP Photo
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Ancient Iraqi artefacts at a handover ceremony of treasures from Lebanon to Iraq, hosted by the Lebanese National Museum in Beirut. EPA
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Lebanon handed over 337 smuggled Iraqi antiquities that had been stored at the Nabu Museum. AP Photo
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Lebanon’s Minister of Culture, Mohammed Murtada, said 331 pieces of cuneiform were delivered to Iraq, as well as six other artefacts of disputed origin. AP Photo
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Mr Murtada said a Lebanese committee had been investigating the items since 2018. AP Photo
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Iraq’s ambassador to Lebanon, Haider Shyaa Al Barrak, said this would not be the last handover. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5UFOLQ4BOGNCTOV7SBSAIZPS4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=0882cb79539d8b3191371681632c9ba11e520e90d292367983462de86a16b646&width=400&height=225)
Many of Iraq’s antiquities have been looted since the 2003 US-led invasion. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DFG7D4FB7F2TRFVXUERGQ2TR3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=701fba774275ff94c4923334bdf8a3059ecbb749d48fdad7a7264457513631ab&width=400&height=225)
Ancient Iraqi artefacts at a handover ceremony of treasures from Lebanon to Iraq, hosted by the Lebanese National Museum in Beirut. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NLAG4QOUFB5YDFVANUGXCEGFA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a3d1abcd0304daae0a3391597db805f6c7758959e830d6bcdee84767fa0fc7e6&width=400&height=225)
Lebanon handed over 337 smuggled Iraqi antiquities that had been stored at the Nabu Museum. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FKMELB3HETWMGOAP66G7XKGRBY.jpg?smart=true&auth=0eccc7cb94218d989bbb23287b24b239996428656348d4d00ab5679b49d43386&width=400&height=225)
Lebanon’s Minister of Culture, Mohammed Murtada, said 331 pieces of cuneiform were delivered to Iraq, as well as six other artefacts of disputed origin. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XI6ZQ2DELYC7NZ4JEIAFTLTILE.jpg?smart=true&auth=706c19d40969205dedd81e58e8ca731d5756941e3d07fc2f07df53ff86fe12cc&width=400&height=225)
Mr Murtada said a Lebanese committee had been investigating the items since 2018. AP Photo
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Iraq’s ambassador to Lebanon, Haider Shyaa Al Barrak, said this would not be the last handover. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5UFOLQ4BOGNCTOV7SBSAIZPS4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=0882cb79539d8b3191371681632c9ba11e520e90d292367983462de86a16b646&width=400&height=225)
Many of Iraq’s antiquities have been looted since the 2003 US-led invasion. AP Photo