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Jun 1 08 2:44 PM



Baghdad may seek debt relief from Arab countries at an international conference on Thursday to discuss progress on a plan for Iraq's reconstruction.

Iraq, which co-chairs with the United Nations a review of a strategy adopted in Egypt a year ago, is also seeking technical support and more engagement from Sunni-led Arab countries.

Here are some details on Iraqi debt:

* Over the past three years, about $66.5 billion of Iraq's overall $120.2 billion foreign debt has been forgiven. With the participation of all members, the Paris Club cancelled $42.3 billion, including Russia's $12 billion.

The Paris Club is an informal group of official creditors whose role is to help debtor nations manage their debts.

* A number of non-Paris Club members have cancelled a total of $8.2 billion, on Paris Club terms. A total of $16 billion has been cancelled by commercial creditors, also on Paris Club terms.

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." ~~John 15:5~~