Iraq to attend Arab Games

Iraq to attend Arab Games

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP): Displaying disdain for Kuwait's threat to boycott the event because of the presence of its athletes, Iraq said Saturday that its sportsmen will attend the Arab Games and will begin departing for the competition in Lebanon later this week.

Iraq's National Olympic Committee said the first group of athletes will depart for Lebanon on Thursday. The announcement was published in the Babil newspaper.

About 2,000 athletes from 20 countries are expected to attend the July 12-27 competition, which will feature competition in soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis, shooting, wrestling and gymnastics.

Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 and Kuwaiti fears and distrusts the Iraqi leadership. Iraqi forces occupied Kuwait for seven months until they were forced out by a U.S.-led coalition.