Three Iraqis arrested with ancient relics

Three people suspected of stealing valuable artefacts dating as far back as the Sumerian period, were arrested near the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Saturday, the army said.

"A specialist army and intelligence unit arrested three people involved in the theft and trafficking of Iraqi antiquities" in the region of Abassi, west of Kirkuk, General Abdel Amir al-Zaidi told journalists.

He said eight pieces were recovered during the arrests, including the head of a Sumerian king. The Sumerian period dates from 4,000 BC to 2,000 BC.