In Kuwait, Lighter Side of War : . . . but Iranians, Iraqis Still Kiss

KUWAIT — Volleyball players from warring Iran and Iraq played a hotly contested game over the weekend but hugged and kissed each other afterward.

One Iraqi sports official even offered an olive branch and a bouquet to the Iranian team captain.

The game Sunday was part of the fourth annual Asian men’s volleyball championship, which brought together teams from friendly and hostile nations in the Persian Gulf region. Iran and Iraq have been at war since September, 1980.

Iraq won three out of four games played with Iran during the championship.

“It was very much in the table tennis spirit that paved roads of amity between America and Communist China after decades of mutual aversion,” a Kuwaiti television commentator said.