"Returning the funds to Iraq is a rightful entitlement for theIraqi side. But at the same time there are contracts and claims bythe Syrian public and private sectors that carried out contracts inIraq during the war," Duraid Dergham, director general of the bankwas quoted as saying at a banking conference in Beirut.

   The money, worth of 261 million US dollars, does not include anypersonal funds belonging to the former dictator's officials, thepaper said.

   Dergham said the bank was waiting for an Iraqi delegation tovisit to verify records, indicating some deductions from theoriginal amount.  Enditem