Iraq’s Al-Sistani, Lebanon’s parliament speaker discuss 'regional challenges'

The speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berri, yesterday met with Iraq’s senior Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah, Ali Al-Sistani, in the Iraqi southern city of Najaf, Moscow-based Russia Today has reported.

The two officials discussed “the need to unify the Arab different stances in light of the challenges currently facing the region.”

Berri arrived in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Sunday in an official visit to discuss relations between Lebanon and Iraq, as well as “means of boosting mutual economic cooperation.” His visit started by a meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, during which they discussed the recent developments in both countries.

The Lebanese official is due to leave Iraq on 5 April, from where he is expected to head to Qatar for a four-day visit.

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