Iraq’s Parliament has agreed to a $400m compensation payout to Americans who claim to have been tortured or psychologically abused by Saddam’s regime during the First Gulf War 1990-1991.

An agreement between Baghdad and Washington was reached in September 2010 and on 30 April 2011, the payout was approved by most of the 226 members of the Council of Representatives present.

The vote was controversial with many Iraqis believing they should not have to pay for the previous regime’s actions. Members loyal to Shia cleric Muqtadr al-Sadr walked out of Parliament when the vote took place.  

Baghdad hopes the deal will put an end to legal battles by US citizens and troops, which could prove more costly for the country. It is also part of an effort to end provisions resulting from Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, which deems Iraq as an international security threat.