Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani. Illustration photo AFP.
BEIRUT — Iraq has summoned Lebanon's abassador over remarks by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun concerning Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), known as the Hashed al-Shaabi, Iraq's state news agency said on Wednesday citing a statement from the foreign ministry.
Ahead of his visit to Qatar, Aoun said during an interview with The New Arab published on Wednesday that Lebanon would not emulate Iraq's PMF — a state security force made up of several armed factions, including some that have enjoyed the backing of Iran — when it came to enforcing the state's monopoly on weapons.
For the first time, Aoun — who has consistently emphasized the importance of the Lebanese state maintaining a monopoly on arms — said for the first time that " [Hezbollah] fighters could join the army if they have the qualifications and pass the required tests to integrate into the institution."
He clarified, however, that this did not mean “reproducing the experience of Iraq’s Hashed al-Shaabi by integrating Hezbollah into the army or allowing Hezbollah to become an independent unit within it.” The Hashed al-Shaabi, or PMF, is a coalition of mostly pro-Iranian paramilitary groups that has been integrated into Iraq’s official security structure.
Many Hezbollah critics slammed Aoun's comments regarding Hezbollah's integration into the army. Meanwhile, Baghdad reacted to what it viewed as an implicit criticism of its security structure.
'Integral part of the state'
According to al-Sumaria News, which cited the Iraqi Foreign Ministry statement, Deputy Foreign Minister for Bilateral Relations Mohammad Bahr al-Ouloum said during the meeting that the PMF are "an essential component of Iraq’s security and military apparatus," describing them as a "governmental and legal institution that is an integral part of the state."
He called Aoun’s remarks "unfortunate," and said it would have been preferable "not to involve Iraq in the Lebanese political crisis or use an official Iraqi institution as an example in this regard."
Ouloum added that the comments had sparked discontent among Iraqis, particularly as Iraq has consistently supported Lebanon during times of crisis. He expressed hope that Aoun would clarify his position in order to reinforce the "fraternal" ties between the two countries and demonstrate mutual "respect" for each nation’s sovereignty and political context.
The Lebanese ambassador, for his part, reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations and pledged to convey the ministry’s position to Aoun. He also expressed Lebanon’s commitment to addressing the issue "in a spirit of preserving and developing bilateral ties," adding that Beirut "relies" on Iraq’s role in Lebanon’s recovery, alongside support from other Arab countries.
Lebanon and Iraq cooperate on several fronts, particularly in the energy sector. Since 2019, the two countries have operated a barter agreement with deferred payments, under which Lebanon’s state electricity company, Electricité du Liban (EDL), receives fuel from Iraq.
During the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah, many Lebanese residents from areas heavily targeted by Israeli strikes sought refuge in Iraq.