Latest news with #MohammedShiaAlSudani
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
2 days ago
- Business
- LBCI
Years of support on the line: President Aoun's visit to Iraq deepens ties, thanks Baghdad for vital help
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian President Joseph Aoun sought to make a special visit to Iraq soon after arriving at the presidential palace, aware of the strong support Iraq has provided Lebanon in recent years. During his meeting with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, President Aoun expressed Lebanon's gratitude to Iraq for its support during difficult times, whether by hosting displaced people and later facilitating their return or through oil shipments necessary for electricity and energy. President Aoun also highlighted the numerous challenges, especially in the fight against terrorism, which both sides continuously coordinate on. The Iraqi president confirmed readiness to cooperate with Lebanon in all fields, wishing President Aoun success amid positive developments in the country. Relations between the two countries date back to Lebanon's independence and have been largely stable. The first agreement between them was signed in 1951. Iraq has been Lebanon's largest importer over the past decade, reaching $125 million in 2021. Without Iraq, Lebanon would not have enjoyed electricity in recent years. Since 2021, Iraq has provided fuel valued at more than $1.2 billion. The platform for payments to Iraq — through selling agricultural and industrial products and services in exchange for these funds — has not yet been completed. During his meeting with President Aoun, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani pledged noninterference in Lebanon's internal affairs, condemned Israel's continued violation of international law, and called on the world to apply United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 without selectivity. President Aoun emphasized the importance of the conference called by France and Saudi Arabia in New York to discuss establishing an independent Palestinian state within a just and comprehensive peace. He drew inspiration from Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, in resolving regional crises. Iraq aims to revive the oil pipeline from Kirkuk to Beddaoui, inactive for half a century, and to rehabilitate the existing refinery so refined Iraqi oil on the Mediterranean coast can be exported to Europe and beyond. Lebanon expressed its support for this.
Arab News
2 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.
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Iraq underscores support for political consensus in Lebanon
1 June 2025 19:29 BAGHDAD (WAM) Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani reaffirmed his government's support for internal political consensus in Lebanon on at a joint press conference with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Government Palace in Baghdad, where Aoun is currently on an official visit, Al Sudani stated, 'Iraq supports internal political consensus in Lebanon and condemns the ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory.'He noted that the Arab Fund initiative proposed by Iraq has received broad Arab support, adding that Iraq contributed $20 million to the Arab Fund for the Reconstruction of his part, the Lebanese President said Lebanon is committed to maintaining civil peace and upholding the principle of state sovereignty without becoming entangled in conflicts or provoking any party. Aoun said, 'At this critical juncture, we must all reaffirm Lebanon's sovereignty over its entire territory,' emphasising that preserving civil peace is a fundamental pillar for building a just and strong state.
LBCI
2 days ago
- General
- LBCI
Iraq's PM urges full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 after meeting President Aoun
In a joint press conference with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani renewed his country's support for Lebanon and called for the full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. 'We continue to stand with the Lebanese people in all fields,' al-Sudani said after meeting Aoun in Baghdad. For his part, President Aoun emphasized Lebanon's commitment to preserving civil peace without compromising state sovereignty or provoking confrontation. He also expressed support for efforts to revive the two-state solution for the Palestinian cause. 'Our vision goes beyond the necessary condemnation of Israeli aggression. We thank Iraq for its continued support for Lebanon,' Aoun added.
