Salam discusses bilateral relations and expanding cooperation channels with his Iraqi counterpart

Beirut – Mansour Shaaban The Lebanese Army condemned the continued “attacks and violations” by Israeli forces in the south, accusing them of hindering the completion of its deployment under the framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel.

In a statement, the army said, “The Israeli occupation forces continue their attacks and violations of existing understandings and international law through the systematic destruction and bulldozing of homes, as well as shelling and sweeping operations with machine guns in several southern areas.” It considered that “the continuation of these attacks hinders the completion of the army’s deployment in accordance with existing understandings and prevents residents from returning to their villages and towns, thereby undermining stability in the south.”

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met with his Lebanese counterpart Nawaf Salam, discussing bilateral relations and a number of regional issues of mutual interest.

The two sides held a bilateral meeting, followed by an expanded session attended by ministers responsible for files related to cooperation between the two countries, to discuss ways to enhance bilateral ties and expand cooperation tracks in developmental and energy sectors, as well as to discuss regional and international issues. The delegation accompanying President Salam included Finance Minister Yassin Jaber, Energy and Water Minister Joe Sodeh, and Communications Minister Charles Hajj.

In this context, Patriarch of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and worldwide, Paul III Nona, presided over a solemn liturgy at the Cathedral of Archangel Raphael in Byblos-Brazilia, on the occasion of his visit to Lebanon. In his sermon, along with the Metropolitan of Beirut for the Greek Orthodox Church, Bishop Elias Auad, he addressed “the state of evil” and “wars and conflicts, and how they are merely games of interests, conspiracies, or other ideas.”

For his part, Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Ra’i called on Lebanese citizens in his sermon to “work together to rebuild the state and restore citizens’ trust in their country.”