Lebanese - Iraqi Summit President Aoun: "We have succeeded in defeating those forces the same way Iraq succeeded in expelling Daesh from Mosul and other areas" 20 Feb 2018 (Translation appears in Arabic section) Baghdad - Lebanese President Michel Aoun and his Iraqi counterpart Fouad Masoum addressed a joint press conference in the wake of a round of talks held between the two sides at the Peace Palace in Baghdad.  The Iraqi President stressed that "relations between the two countries are historical, cultural, political and ideological. There are common interests between us. After the regime change in Iraq, we began to seek balance and thus resorted to the Lebanese model." Masoum pointed out that the meeting's discussions dealt with "the issue of facilitating access to both countries for the Iraqis and the Lebanese." "We welcome Aoun and the delegation accompanying him," he added. Aoun For his part, The Lebanese President thanked Iraq's hospitality and praised its rich culture. "We have had constructive talks that reflect the history of the two countries," Aoun said. "Iraq suffered great terror and there had been similar suffering in Lebanon imposed by the forces of darkness. We have succeeded in defeating those forces the same way Iraq succeeded in expelling Daesh from Mosul and other areas," he said. "We have reached a point where we need to exert joint Arab efforts so as to expel terrorism from Arab countries and combat the causes and factors facilitating the existence of terrorist ideology. We also seek to boost bilateral relations that bind our two countries," President Aoun went on to say. "If crises have, in the past, prevented the strengthening of cooperation, the situation in Iraq now will restore the relationship to the highest levels," he said, wishing "good, peace and prosperity to our second homeland Iraq." 
Aoun Holds Joint Press Conference With Al Abadi, Says Scope of Cooperation With Iraq 'Promising' 20 Feb 2018 Baghdad - President Michel Aoun maintained that the scope of bilateral cooperation between Lebanon and Iraq was "promising," following talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad Tuesday. Aoun indicated that the two-pronged talks were "fruitful, " especially in terms of bilateral cooperation on the economic and developmental levels. "Now that Iraq is on the way of recovery, and that Lebanon has succeeded in anchoring the foundations of the state and in reinforcing people's support for the constitutional institutions, the horizons of cooperation are promising between Lebanon and Iraq," Aoun told a joint press conference. On the political level, Aoun reiterated Lebanon's support for the unity of Iraq, renewing rejection of jeopardizing the country and the future of its people. "We also discussed our achievements in the war on terrorism, after the recent months have witnessed tremendous victories against the terrorists, their rings, organizations, and resources, whether in Iraq or in Lebanon," he said.  "Within this frame, we highlighted the importance of exchanging data and expertise to combat terrorism, as well as exerting international unified efforts during this confrontation," he added. "We also stressed on the obligation to close inter-Arab ranks and conduct effective reconciliations, while preserving the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs," he underlined. 
Masoum Surprises Aoun With Birthday Cake 20 Feb 2018 Baghdad - Marking President Michel Aoun's 83rd birthday, Iraqi President Fouad Masoum surprised him at the end of a lunch banquet held in his honor in Baghdad, with a cake designed with the flags of Lebanon and Iraq. President Masoum wished President Aoun long prosperous life. Aoun is currently on an official visit to Baghdad. |
