IMF approves 436 million dollars for Iraq

WASHINGTON, Sept 29 (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund Wednesday approved emergency aid of 436 million dollars for Iraq, an IMF spokesman said.
The IMF's executive board approved the emergency post-conflict assistance for Iraq's interim government, according to William Murray, a spokesman for the fund.
The emergency funds come with fewer strings attached than a typical IMF economic program.
The deal came after Baghdad's new government paid its 81 million dollars in arrears to the international organization, the spokesman said.
Negotiations on the plan had been held outside Iraq, including in Paris, because of concerns about security for IMF personnel.
IMF experts estimated earlier this year that Iraq may be eligible for as much as 850 million dollars in reconstruction assistance.