Iraqi artifacts returned from Switzerland and Japan

Finally to Iraq, where the country's foreign minister on Tuesday announced the successful recovery of Iraqi artifacts from Japan and Switzerland.

Speaking at the Iraqi National Museum the minister said the historic items, including a statue of the sun god, rare murals, and some textured paintings, date back to ancient Mesopotamia and the Assyrian civilization.

He said that some of the recovered artifacts had been loaned to Japan in the 1970s, adding that the returned items are not just objects but integral parts of Iraq's national identity.

Iraq's government has been using diplomatic channels to recover items stolen during years of conflict in the country.