Music of Iraq

Iraq is known primarily for an instrument called the oud (similar to a lute) and a rebab[?] (similar to a fiddle); its stars include Ahmed Mukhtar[?]. Until the fall of Saddam Hussein, the most popular radio station was the Voice of Youth[?]. It played a mix of western rock[?], hip hop and pop music, all of which had to be imported via Jordan due to international economic sanctions. The Corrs[?] and Westlife[?] are especially popular.