Kuwait and Lebanon seek to boost Iraq ties

By Mohammed Abbas

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Kuwait named an ambassador to Baghdad on Thursday and a top Lebanese politician urged more investment in Iraq, highlighting the Arab world's growing interest in the Shi'ite-led country it once shunned.

Arab states have been reluctant to extend legitimacy to the U.S.-backed government despite pressure from Washington, which wants more regional engagement to dilute the influence of neighbouring Shi'ite Iran.

A senior Kuwaiti diplomatic presence -- its first since former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990 -- would be a milestone for Baghdad's push for better regional ties given many Kuwaitis are still bitter about the Iraqi occupation.

A fall in violence to four-year lows has led to a flurry of high-level visits from foreign capitals, which previously cited security concerns for not sending officials to Baghdad.

Continuing his push to encourage investment in Iraq, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will visit Germany and Italy next week, the government's spokesman said

Ali al-Dabbagh said Maliki would first visit Germany during the July 21-25 trip. He would meet government leaders in both countries and also hold talks with Pope Benedict.

Kuwait's KUNA state news agency said Ali al-Mumin, a former senior military official, had been named as envoy to Baghdad.

"A decree will be issued appointing Ali al-Mumin as ambassador to Iraq," the agency said, without giving details of when he would arrive in the Iraqi capital.