The Iraqi national museum has retrieved some 700 pieces of looted antiquities which Syria has seized from traffickers since the 2003 US invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

A delegation led by the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, brought the 701 stolen artifacts from Syria.

The artifacts, which are put on display at the museum, include coins, necklaces and bracelets and other antiquities dated back to various epochs.

Dr Amira Idan is the Head of General Committee of Antiquities and Heritage.

"Today we witness the recovery of 701 pieces of Iraqi antiquities. The most interesting thing, this collection includes some items contain IM number - that means an Iraqi Museum number. The other pieces belong to different size and different periods. Some of these pieces belong to the 4th millennium BC and some of the pieces belong to the 3rd millennium BC."

US officials said last month that according to the latest inventories, a total of about 15,000 artifacts were stolen.

Of those, about 4,000 have been returned, and a total of about 6,000 have been recovered.

Syrian Culture Minister said that a "priceless Iraqi piece" of important historical value was seized two weeks ago by Syrian customs officials.

He gave no further details, saying only that it would be returned to Iraq after allowing experts to examine it.

Many of the stolen items were recovered under a no-questions-asked amnesty program, while others were found in raids.