The UN Compensation Commission (UNCC) last month lifted the limit on its quarterly payments, previously $200 million, due to higher oil prices which have boosted its income derived from five percent of Iraqi oil sales.
"The present payments brings the overall amount of compensation made available to date by the UNCC to $20.05 billion," the Geneva-based fund said in a statement. The size of future quarterly payments will depend on its income, currently about $120 million per month, it added.
The UNCC, set up by the Security Council, completed ruling on $352 billion worth of claims last June, having approved total compensation of $52.5 billion over a decade - much to Kuwait.
The latest $654 million was paid to 15 governments, including $509 million to Kuwaiti individuals, companies and state entities. Jordan followed with $53.5 million and $26.9 million, respectively, according to a UN table.