Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and his Lebanese counterpart, Nawaf Salam, discussed a number of issues related to bilateral relations during a meeting in Baghdad on Sunday. They also discussed using Lebanese territory as an additional gateway for Iraq to access the Mediterranean Sea and establishing a diversified economic partnership. A statement from the Iraqi Prime Minister's media office said that al-Zaidi and his Lebanese counterpart held a bilateral meeting to discuss areas of joint cooperation and regional developments. The talks also covered the economic partnership between the two countries, as well as the latest developments in the region. The statement added that the discussions focused on ways to strengthen bilateral economic, political and security relations. They also explored opportunities to deepen the partnership between the two nations in a way that would support comprehensive and sustainable development and serve the interests of both the Iraqi and Lebanese peoples. Iraqi Finance Minister Faleh Sari receiving Salam and the accompanying delegation at Baghdad Airport (Iraqi News Agency) According to the statement, the Prime Minister stressed the deep ties between Iraq and Lebanon, reaffirming his commitment to strengthening the relationship and highlighting the importance of entering into productive economic partnerships across various development sectors. He also stressed the need for close coordination between the two countries in addressing the challenges facing the region and supporting bilateral cooperation to reinforce regional stability, reduce tensions, and end conflicts. Salam's office said the Lebanese delegation included Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, Minister of Energy and Water Joe Saddi, Minister of Telecommunications Charles Hajj, and Director General of General Security Major General Hassan Choucair. The visit included meetings with Iraqi President Nizar Amidi and a-Zaidi, during which both sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and expand cooperation across various sectors. The visit also featured bilateral meetings between Lebanese ministers and their Iraqi counterparts. From the expanded Iraqi-Lebanese talks session (Iraqi News Agency) During the talks, Salam stressed that Lebanon is firmly committed to advancing projects that promote regional connectivity and strategic integration with countries in the region across a range of sectors, particularly energy, telecommunications, and transportation. He said these efforts would allow Lebanon to capitalize on the opportunities created by ongoing regional transformations while strengthening its position and role within its regional environment. Salam also stressed that economic cooperation among the countries of the region is a fundamental pillar of strength, stability, and shared prosperity, especially when based on a vision that promotes mutual benefits and common interests. He added that Lebanon looks forward to becoming an active partner with Iraq in shaping these regional projects in a way that opens new investment opportunities and supports sustainable development and economic growth for the two nations. Among the issues discussed in Baghdad was the proposed connection of the Kirkuk–Baniyas oil pipeline to the Tripoli refinery, as announced by the Lebanese side. According to Mazhar Mohammed Salih, the Iraqi Prime Minister's financial and economic adviser, the purpose of the visit was to renew the agreement under which Iraq supplies Lebanon with fuel to operate its power plants, while also exploring efforts to export Iraqi oil through Beirut to the Mediterranean. In press remarks, Salih said the energy sector is at the heart of Salam’s visit, with both sides seeking to extend and expand the agreement under which Iraq supplies fuel to Lebanon, an arrangement that has helped keep Lebanon's electricity sector functioning over the past several years. He explained that the visit also highlights the strategic dimension of regional transportation and connectivity projects, noting that the proposal to use Lebanese territory as an additional outlet for Iraq to access the Mediterranean Sea would, if implemented, give Lebanon an important logistical role while providing Iraq with a new commercial gateway to global markets. Salih added that any new agreement would represent a strategic lifeline linking Baghdad and Beirut through shared interests that extend beyond fuel supplies to broader economic stability. However, he stressed that energy is not the only issue on the agenda, pointing out that bilateral trade remains well below its potential. He said the visit could pave the way for facilitating the movement of goods and businesspeople and encourage investment in industry, agriculture, and services, giving both economies greater room to grow despite the region's unstable environment. Regarding Iraq, Salih said the visit would strengthen the country's economic presence in the Levant and diversify its partnerships beyond dependence on a single direction. For Lebanon, he said, it represents an opportunity to secure stable energy supplies and attract Iraqi investment to support the country's economic recovery.
