The Iraqi government will pay $408 million to the Egyptian government to repay an old debt, said a spokesman of the Iraqi government on Thursday. Ali al-Dabagh said in a statement that the Iraqi cabinet has decided that the Ministry of Finance should pay $408 million to Egypt. He said the move aims to strengthen Iraq's relations with the international community. Iraqi security and economy have improved after years of conflict and instability caused by the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 to overthrow former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussien. The current government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maleki exerts efforts to support ties with Arab neighbors and foreign creditors.