Beirut international airport's departure hall. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT — Iraq's cabinet on Friday unanimously agreed to exempt Lebanese citizens from the requirement to obtain a visa in advance to enter Iraq.
In September, the Lebanese government approved a request by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and Municipalities to exempt Iraqi citizens from requiring an in-advance visa to enter Lebanon. Iraq then adopted the same measure on the principle of reciprocity.
Lebanon's caretaker Labor Minister, Mustafa Bayram, thanked the Iraqi authorities for this step, adding that "it would strengthen relations and cooperation between the two brotherly countries."
Bayram said the visa exemption will save Lebanese citizens traveling to Iraq about $50 in visa fees. He added that "the decision will be followed by other decisions to strengthen joint relations between Lebanon and Iraq."