Iraq has issued arrest warrants for former defence minister Hazem Shaalan and 23 others on charges related to the disappearance or misappropriation of more than $1bn (€830m, £570m) in government funds, the country's Public Integrity Commission said yesterday.

The announcement follows investigations into allegations that Mr Shaalan, minister under the previous prime minister Iyad Allawi, spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the procurement of badly made, overpriced weapons. At least three other ministers in Mr Allawi's government were also being sought, the officials were quoted as saying. Mr Shaalan is reported to be in London. Steve Negus, Iraq Correspondent