The Prime Minister of the caretaker government, Najib Mikati, and his Iraqi counterpart, Mohamed Shia' al-Sudani, discussed in a bilateral meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Baghdad the relations between the two countries and ways to develop them, as well as paths to enhance economic partnership, and the bilateral agreement regarding the supply of Iraqi oil to Lebanon. They also addressed the regional situation and the latest political and security developments therein.
It was emphasized that both governments continue their efforts to resolve the delays in the accreditation of certificates for Iraqi students, which stem from periods of health and economic crises that hindered the work of public administrations in Lebanon. Al-Sudani indicated that Iraq's stance on Lebanon stems from the commitment and brotherhood that unite the two brotherly nations, and from Iraq's responsible regional and international role regarding developments in the region. He stressed the necessity of stopping aggression against Lebanon and Palestine and making efforts to prevent the regional expansion of the conflict and the loss of more innocent victims and martyrs.
For his part, Mikati expressed his appreciation for al-Sudani's efforts and the Iraqi government's steps to support economic relations with Lebanon, praising Iraq's efforts to support rapprochement and stability regionally and internationally. He confirmed the continuation of work on economic and trade exchange agreements, enhancing partnerships between the public and private sectors in both countries, and studying the possibility of entering into projects that include establishing Iraqi industrial cities in Lebanon and diversifying mutual investment opportunities.
Mikati also confirmed the elevation of security cooperation and coordination with Iraq in combating terrorism and curbing drug trafficking, and the importance of completing preparations for the upcoming meeting of the joint economic committee between the two countries at the end of September.
He renewed the Iraqi Prime Minister's invitation to visit Lebanon "at a time he sees fit." He noted, "We discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations at all levels, expressed our position on the ongoing events in Palestine and the war in Gaza, where there was a consensus on prioritizing the cessation of Israeli aggression and granting Palestinians their rights."
They also discussed the "Israeli assaults on Lebanon, especially in the south, and the material and human damages incurred by Lebanon due to these assaults and the support needed for reconstruction and restoring normalcy in the Lebanese confrontation villages."
Mikati explained, "We addressed enhancing security coordination and cooperation in combating terrorism and drug trafficking and Iraq's leading role ahead of the second Baghdad regional conference on combating drugs, with the participation of a Lebanese official delegation headed by Minister of Interior and Municipalities Bassam Mawlawi. We also discussed the ongoing preparations for the meeting of the joint economic committee between the two countries at the end of September, which will be an opportunity to activate signed agreements and sign new agreements and memorandums of understanding to enhance partnerships between the two countries. We also talked about ways to activate land, sea, and air transport sectors according to signed agreements and new agreements in the fields of transport, agriculture, and trade."
Mikati emphasized the ongoing efforts of the government entities in both countries to resolve the delays in the accreditation of certificates for Iraqi students, which result from periods of health and economic crises that paralyzed public administrations in Lebanon. He also discussed expanding the presence of national companies in both countries across various fields and expertise. He highly valued the pioneering vision currently witnessed due to the wisdom and vision of President Mohamed Shia' al-Sudani and his government, starting from the capital, Baghdad, and extending throughout Iraq.
Mikati met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia' al-Sudani at the Prime Minister's office in Baghdad. Upon his arrival, formal reception ceremonies were held, where he was received by President al-Sudani, and they reviewed the honor guard. The national anthems of Lebanon and Iraq were played, after which the two presidents shook hands with the members of the Lebanese and Iraqi delegations.
After that, extensive talks were held, attended by the Lebanese side's Minister of Industry George Boussikian, Minister of Agriculture Abbas al-Haj Hassan, Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh, Minister of Energy and Water Walid Fayyad, Lebanon's Ambassador to Iraq Ali Habhab, the head of the Lebanese Investment Promotion Authority (IDAL) Mazen Sweid, and Deputy Director-General of State Security, Major General Hassan Shuqair.
The caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati arrived in Iraq today, Sunday, on an official visit in response to an invitation from the Iraqi Prime Minister. He was welcomed at Baghdad International Airport by the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil Hayan Abdul-Ghani.
Additionally, Minister of Interior and Municipalities Bassam Mawlawi arrived in Iraq, leading a delegation from the ministry, to participate in the work of the "Second International Baghdad Conference on Combating Drugs," at the invitation of Iraqi Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir al-Shammari, who was present to receive him at Baghdad International Airport along with a delegation of senior officers from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior.
Minister Mawlawi will hold a series of meetings with his counterparts participating in the conference to discuss issues of mutual interest.
