Zain not contemplating Iraq pullout after fine

Nablus: Kuwait's Mobile Telecommunications Co (Zain) will continue to operate in Iraq despite an $18.6 million (Dh68.41 million) fine imposed by the Baghdad government, Zain CEO Sa'ad Al Barrak said on Wednesday.

"It's not a crisis at all. It's normal...to get some penalties here and there," Barrak said in the occupied West Bank, where Zain took a majority stake in the Palestine Telecommunications Co (PalTel) earlier this month.

The Iraqi government announced in May it was fining Zain for poor cellphone service. Zain blamed the deterioration on jamming by US forces trying to prevent insurgents from setting off bombs.

Asked whether Zain planned to halt its operations in Iraq in response to the fine, Barrak replied: "Never."

Barrak described the penalty as unjustified and said, "That's why we are going to arbitration."