Latest news with #LebanonIraqRelations
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Aoun's Visit to Baghdad Eases Strained Ties between Lebanon, Iraq
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Baghdad on Sunday on an official visit for talks with top Iraqi officials. Ties between Lebanon and Iraq had been strained over Aoun's recent remarks about Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The president also did not attend the Arab League summit in Baghdad last month, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam participating instead. However, the reception accorded to Aoun on Sunday eased all tensions. He was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani at Baghdad International Airport and they later held bilateral talks. At a press conference following their meeting, Aoun quoted Iraq's top Shiite Authority Ali al-Sistani when speaking about the need for authorities to derive lessons from the past and to work on establishing a better future for the people. This work should be based on practical plans for managing the country that are based on competency and integrity, away from foreign meddling and while keeping the possession of weapons limited to the state, he added. Aoun expressed his gratitude to Sudani 'for everything you have constantly offered Lebanon, such as aid in every field.' 'Every Lebanese person now truly believes that during each crisis, they can turn to Iraq that will come to Lebanon's aid in actions, not just in words,' he stressed. For his part, Sudani underlined the Iraqi government and people's 'keenness on supporting Lebanon and strengthening its state institutions.' Iraq supports Lebanon's unity, stability and territorial integrity, he added. A statement from Sudani's office said the leaders discussed bilateral ties and opportunities for cooperation between their countries in various fields. They also tackled regional developments. Aoun expressed his gratitude for Iraq's support to Lebanon, saying he was keen on expanding cooperation to meet the interests of the people in both countries. Aoun also held talks with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid. Aoun is expected to discuss with officials the possibility of Iraq continuing to provide Lebanon with fuel to operate power plants. They will also address security affairs and other issues. In April, Aoun had declared that Lebanon will not replicate the PMF experience in Iraq in Lebanon as part of efforts to merge Hezbollah with the Lebanese army. Hezbollah will also not act as an independent unit inside the army. His remarks had angered Baghdad, which stressed that the PMF is a military institution and part of Iraq's armed forces. Iraq summoned Lebanon's ambassador in Baghdad at the time to protest the statements.
LBCI
3 days ago
- Business
- LBCI
President Joseph Aoun meets Iraq's president in Baghdad visit
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with his Iraqi counterpart Abdul Latif Rashid on Sunday at the presidential palace in Baghdad, shortly after arriving in the Iraqi capital. Aoun's visit, described as reflecting the 'deep historical brotherly ties' between Lebanon and Iraq, aims to bolster bilateral cooperation. 'This visit embodies our shared commitment to strengthening coordination across various fields,' Aoun said. 'It is also an opportunity to thank the Iraqi leadership and people for their continued support to Lebanon.' He also expressed appreciation for Iraq's fuel shipments to Lebanon during its economic crisis, calling them 'a sincere expression of Arab brotherhood and solidarity.'
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Lebanese President Aoun reviews ties, cooperation with Iraqi official
LONDON: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed ties and cooperation with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani during his visit to Iraq on Sunday. Aoun stressed the importance of establishing an Arab mutual interest system to enhance shared interests among Arab countries during his meeting with Al-Sudani. In a separate meeting with Rashid at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad, Aoun commended Iraq's support and donations, including fuel shipments to generate electricity, for the Lebanese people during the recent round of the Israeli-Hezbollah war, which flared up in September 2024. Aoun said that Lebanon and Iraq face the challenge of terrorism, which is being addressed through security agencies in both countries. The two presidents emphasized the urgency to end the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip and to support the Palestinian cause without allowing it to be compromised, according to the NNA agency. Aoun said that Israel must withdraw from the five areas inside the Lebanese territory it has controlled since 2024 and stop its repeated attacks on the country that undermine peace efforts in the region. Rashid affirmed Iraq's support for Lebanon and said that Baghdad views positively the recent developments in the country following the formation of the new government in early 2025.
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
Lebanon's President Aoun in Baghdad to bolster ties
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Baghdad on Sunday for an official visit to bolster ties between the two countries. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani welcomed Mr Aoun on his arrival in the Iraqi capital. The two leaders held discussions on regional developments and ways to boost co-operation. A ceremony was held to welcome Mr Aoun that "included the playing of the national anthems of Iraq and Lebanon, a review of the honour guard, and the salute of the flags of the two countries", according to a statement by the Iraqi news agency. During his visit, Mr Aoun was also due to hold talks with President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid at the royal palace. Mr Aoun was absent from the Arab League summit held earlier this month in Baghdad. Lebanon was instead represented by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. In April, Baghdad summoned Lebanon's ambassador to the country to voice 'discomfort' over statements made by Mr Aoun about a paramilitary force backed by Baghdad. The Popular Mobilisation Forces were formed to support the Iraqi military following a call by prominent Shiite cleric Ali Al Sistani after ISIS seized large parts of Iraq in 2014. Mr Aoun said in an interview with Al Araby Al Jadeed that Lebanon would not emulate Iraq's integration of the PMF into state forces, as Lebanon seeks to create a state monopoly on weapons. In response, Iraq's Foreign Ministry said "the PMF is an integral part of Iraq's military and security framework'. It said 'linking the PMF to Lebanon's internal crisis was ill-advised and that Iraq should not have been dragged into Lebanon's domestic affairs or have its institutions used as examples in this context'. Mr Aoun's administration has been under intense pressure from the US to disarm Hezbollah and other militia groups.
