Aoun Stresses to Sudani Strength of Ties between Lebanon Iraq

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed on Thursday the strength of relations between his country and Iraq “away from any external factors that may impact them.”

Aoun held telephone talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, said the Lebanese Presidency.

Aoun expressed to the PM Lebanon’s desire to bolster ties with Iraq in various fields, it added.

In a statement, the PM underlined Iraq’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and efforts to launch a reconstruction process after the war between Israel and Hezbollah.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry had on Wednesday summoned the Lebanese Ambassador to Baghdad to express its “discomfort” with statements Aoun had made over the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Aoun on Tuesday said Lebanon will not “replicate” the PMF experience in Iraq in terms of merging the Hezbollah armed group with the military.

He made his comments as he was addressing the issue of the Lebanese state having monopoly over the possession of weapons in the country.

aawsat.com