World

Iraq raises controversial new flag

by Rob Peters | February 5, 2008 at 09:34 am

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A fresh new flag, a fresh new start?

Some say the new Iraqi flag is a way of creating symbolic distance from the crimes committed under Saddam Hussein, while others say it's part of the country's history.

Removing Saddam's handwriting seems like a good start, regardless.

Check out the new flag here.

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki raised Iraq's new national flag over his office for the first time on Tuesday, at a ceremony he hoped would encourage others to accept its use.

Iraq's parliament approved the banner last month after a fierce debate over replacing the previous one, which some see as tarnished by its association with Saddam Hussein's former regime but others revere as a national symbol.

Maliki told his guests that the new flag would "wipe clean the past of crimes and human rights violations committed under the previous flag.

"We support the choice of the new flag. Its colours embody the historic background that all Iraqis share. This flag is now one of the national symbols that aim to promote unity and brotherhood," he said.

This is the second time the design of the flag has been changed since Saddam was overthrown by a US-led invasion.

Earlier, the design of the slogan "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greater) was changed, as the earlier script was said to be in Saddam's own handwriting. The new banner retains the Islamic slogan, but in a stylised green font.