"I congratulate the brotherly people of Iraq on their liberation," Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah said in a message.

Kuwait was occupied by Iraq between August 1990 and February 1991, when Baghdad's troops were forced out by a US-led coalition in the first Gulf War. The emirate has recently hosted tens of thousands of US and British troops who started crossing the border three weeks ago.

Sheikh Sabah praised "the enormous efforts by the coalition forces to liberate" Iraq.

"The brotherly Iraqi people have suffered from several wars over these long years. They have the right to enjoy freedom and benefit from the wealth that has been stolen from them," said Sheikh Sabah, quoted by the official KUNA news agency.

A US commander said Wednesday the coalition controlled most of Baghdad after tanks pushed into the heart of the Iraqi capital with little resistance and amid widespread scenes of joy.

SPACE.WIRE