The UN Security Council has voted to lift most international sanctions imposed on Iraq during the Saddam Hussein regime. The vote is anticipated as recognition of the political progress made in Iraq. One resolution ends sanctions that were imposed to stop Iraq building nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. Sanctions were first imposed on Baghdad in 1991 after Iraq invaded Kuwait, while some relating to trade, investment and conventional weapons have been lifted since 2003.1

• 1. “UN lifts sanctions against Iraq,” BBC News, December, 15, 2010, at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12004115