Lebanese President Joseph Aoun receiving the invitation to the Baghdad Arab Summit from the Iraqi Culture Minister, Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani, in Baabda, April 25, 2025. (Credit: Lebanese presidency's X account)
Aoun will not attend the upcoming regular Arab summit scheduled for Saturday in Baghdad. While Lebanon will still be represented by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Foreign Minister Joe Rajji, this is the first time that the president, who has prioritized Lebanon’s return to the Arab fold, has missed such a diplomatic gathering.According to some observers, his absence may be linked to the strong criticism he faced in Iraq last month after stating that Lebanon wanted to disarm Hezbollah rather than turn it into a Lebanese version of the Popular Mobilisation Forces. This predominantly Shiite paramilitary group has been fully integrated into Iraq’s army, which made it more powerful than the military itself, with significant influence over the government. Read more Aoun: Return of Gulf investors depends on restoring confidence in Lebanon ...
Aoun will not attend the upcoming regular Arab summit scheduled for Saturday in Baghdad. While Lebanon will still be represented by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Foreign Minister Joe Rajji, this is the first time that the president, who has prioritized Lebanon’s return to the Arab fold, has missed such a diplomatic gathering.According to some observers, his absence may be linked to the strong criticism he faced in Iraq last month after stating that Lebanon wanted to disarm Hezbollah rather than turn it into a Lebanese version of the Popular Mobilisation Forces. This predominantly Shiite paramilitary group has been fully integrated into Iraq’s army, which made it more powerful than the military itself, with significant influence over the government. Read more Aoun: Return of Gulf investors depends on restoring confidence in Lebanon...
