COURIER giant DHL is helping with efforts to rebuild Iraq following the UN Security Council's vote to lift economic sanctions across the country.

The company is the first express and logistics company to enter Iraq, and the first major civilian fleet. DHL will offer both air express services through DHL Express, and heavy freight and logistics involving its fleet of vehicles through its DHL Danzas Air & Ocean division.

DHL chief executive officer Uwe Doerken said: 'DHL's express and air and ocean services will assist the local and international communities in their efforts to rebuild Iraq.

'The fact we are able to establish services almost the minute sanctions are lifted is testament to the resourcefulness of DHL people.'

As well as flights, the company will operate trucking services on two routes – Kuwait City to Basra and Jordan to the northern part of Iraq.

A DHL spokesman said: 'By commencing operations as quickly as possible, following the lifting of sanctions, DHL will be able to help the Iraqi people in the rebuilding of the country's infrastructure and economy, and will significantly improve the transportation of humanitarian aid.'