Iraq fighting corrupt image, official says

BAGHDAD, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Iraq, fighting the label of being one of the most corrupt countries in the world, has been working to improve its standing, an Iraqi official said.

U.S. officials have warned Iraqis that corruption threatens the country's emerging democracy and could sink security gains. The county's corruption watchdog said 300 Iraqi officials were charged with corruption in 2008 and 86 were convicted, al-Sumaria reported Thursday.

In September, Somalia, Myanmar and Iraq were listed as the top three countries perceived to be most corrupt by the Transparency International index.

"In Iraq, the battle against terrorism has been tough and bloody, but the battle against corruption will be more prolonged," said Rahim al-Ugaili, a judge and leader of the Iraqi Integrity Commission.

Foreign investors don't want to fund enterprises in countries known for corruption, Ugaili said.

"Big companies do not come to a corrupt environment," he said. "The foreign investor does not give his money to be stolen."