Sumerian artifacts are handed over to the Iraqi Embassy in Lebanon at the National Museum of Beirut in Beirut, on Feb. 6, 2022.Photo:Xinhua

Lebanon's Culture Ministry on Sunday handed over to Iraq 337 ancient artifacts that had been on display in a private Lebanese museum for years, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada returned the items, which include clay tablets, to Iraqi Ambassador to Lebanon Haider Shyaa Al-Barrak during a ceremony held at the National Museum of Beirut, NNA said.

"We are celebrating the handing over of 337 artifacts that are of different eras of civilizations in Mesopotamia," Al-Barrak said at the ceremony.

Many of Iraq's antiquities were smuggled abroad during decades of war in the country.

Reporters take photos of the Sumerian artifacts handed over to the Iraqi Embassy in Lebanon at the National Museum of Beirut in Beirut, on Feb. 06, 2022.Photo:Xinhua

 

Sumerian artifacts are handed over to the Iraqi Embassy in Lebanon at the National Museum of Beirut in Beirut, on Feb. 6, 2022.Photo:Xinhua

 

Sumerian artifacts are handed over to the Iraqi Embassy in Lebanon at the National Museum of Beirut in Beirut, on Feb. 6, 2022.Photo:Xinhua