Lebanon receives promises from Iraq on key issues

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has received promises from the Iraqi government on four key issues, an anonymous official in Baghdad has confirmed to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

The agreements were reached during a meeting between Aoun and Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi on Wednesday evening. They include facilitating Lebanese investments in Iraq; the exchange of wanted terrorists; an agreement on security and intelligence cooperation; and the formation of a committee to solve the issue of Lebanese individuals who already have money in Iraq, estimated at a staggering $8 billion.

“There are thousands of Lebanese who had investments and funds in Iraqi banks from before the American occupation, and their cases are still pending with the Central Bank of Iraq and the Iraqi Ministry of Planning,” the source explained. He added that an Iraqi ministerial delegation will visit Beirut in the coming weeks to follow-up on the agreements reached between Aoun and Al-Abadi.

On Wednesday, President Aoun also met with the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Salim Al-Jubouri. “The meeting focused on a number of issues, including the fight against terrorism and corruption, bilateral relations and investments in Iraq,” the Speaker’s office said.

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