Mubasher: The Iraqi ministry of foreign affairs announced on Saturday that Iraq has received a grant from the United States and Canada totalling more than $8 billion for the reconstruction of the country, according to a statement.

Other countries such as Japan, China and South Korea expressed their continued support for Iraq as well, the statement noted.

The Iraqi foreign minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari called upon the international community to support Iraq, stressing the need for reconstruction, as well as maintain the sovereignty and unity of his country.