Iraq Exhibits Ancient Artifacts Returned by US and other Countries

Employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check the recovered antiquities put on display at the ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 08 July 2024. EPA/AHMED JALIL
Employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check the recovered antiquities put on display at the ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 08 July 2024. EPA/AHMED JALIL
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Iraq Exhibits Ancient Artifacts Returned by US and other Countries

Employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check the recovered antiquities put on display at the ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 08 July 2024. EPA/AHMED JALIL
Employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check the recovered antiquities put on display at the ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 08 July 2024. EPA/AHMED JALIL

Iraq on Monday exhibited several ancient artifacts that it said had been returned by the United States and other countries, long after they were looted and smuggled out following the 2003 US invasion.
Iraqi authorities have been trying to retrieve thousands of archaeological relics missing since the invasion, which was followed by widespread looting in the country that some historians regard as the cradle of civilization, Reuters said.
Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein handed the recently recovered relics over to Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Ahmed al-Badrani at a ceremony in Baghdad.
Most of the artifacts on display at the foreign ministry headquarters were returned by the US after a visit by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to Washington in April, Badrani said.
He said other relics had been returned by other states, but gave no details.
Hussein said more "rare archeological collections" would be returned by Switzerland and Japan this month.



Diriyah Company Unveils ‘Diriyah House’ in London to Expand Global Reach 

Diriyah House serves as a marketing platform designed to deliver immersive experiences for investors and stakeholders interested in Diriyah. (SPA)
Diriyah House serves as a marketing platform designed to deliver immersive experiences for investors and stakeholders interested in Diriyah. (SPA)
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Diriyah Company Unveils ‘Diriyah House’ in London to Expand Global Reach 

Diriyah House serves as a marketing platform designed to deliver immersive experiences for investors and stakeholders interested in Diriyah. (SPA)
Diriyah House serves as a marketing platform designed to deliver immersive experiences for investors and stakeholders interested in Diriyah. (SPA)

Diriyah Company announced the launch of "Diriyah House" in London’s One Hyde Park in Knightsbridge, marking a strategic move to strengthen its global presence and attract international investment, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

Diriyah House serves as a marketing platform designed to deliver immersive experiences for investors and stakeholders interested in Diriyah, a cultural destination in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, projected to welcome more than 50 million visits annually by 2030.

The house features a marketing suite showcasing the Diriyah Masterplan and offers interactive content that enables visitors to explore the vision and components of the masterplan in a modern and engaging format aligned with global investor expectations.

Commenting on the occasion, Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: “We are thrilled to launch the Diriyah House in the heart of London, where our team will present Diriyah’s story on a global stage through a distinctive experience worthy of its heritage.”

“This step advances our international reach as we build one of the world’s most iconic destinations rooted in the Kingdom’s history, culture, and identity.”

Diriyah House is set to officially open in early July 2025 in partnership with Sotheby’s International Realty, which will operate the facility.