The Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, meets with the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mahmoud Abbas, in Baghdad during the 34th Arab League summit on May 16, 2025. (Credit: @nawafasalam.)
Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, emphasized Friday evening in Baghdad to the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mahmoud Abbas, the need for the "protection of the Palestinian people and the safeguarding of their rights on their land and in their homeland," as the Israeli army launches a major offensive on the Gaza Strip, called "Chariots of Gideon," aiming to conquer and occupy the land.
Salam arrived in Baghdad Friday afternoon to participate in the 34th Arab League summit scheduled for Saturday. He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Joe Raggi and Economy Minister Amer Bsat.
"I stressed the need for an immediate halt to the war, protection of the Palestinian people, and safeguarding of their rights on their land and in their homeland," said Salam in a statement published on X.
"I also insisted on the importance of adhering to the two-state solution as the only possible way to achieve a just and lasting peace" between Israelis and Palestinians, added the Lebanese Prime Minister.
He then specified his position, which is that of the Arab League: "I reiterated my full support for the Arab Peace Initiative, as a fundamental reference for any just and comprehensive solution, guaranteeing the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital."
Arab League launched, in 2002, a peace initiative with Israel, under the impetus of the future King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, then Crown Prince. The Arabs propose to Tel Aviv to collectively normalize diplomatic relations in exchange for the creation of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders: Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
"Importance of Arab coordination"
Salam was received by the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Fouad Hussein, and the Secretary-General of the Government, Hamid Ghazi. He emphasized "Baghdad's historic role in building bridges between brothers (Arabs)" and insisted on "the importance of Arab coordination in facing common challenges."
Hussein highlighted "the importance of this visit to strengthen relations between Iraq and Lebanon." "The holding of the Arab League summit in Baghdad takes place under exceptional regional and international conditions, which requires unifying efforts to face challenges and strengthen security, stability, and sustainable development in the region," he added.
Salam also met with his Iraqi counterpart, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, with whom he discussed "ways to expand areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly in energy, economy, and cultural exchanges," reports the Grand Serail in a statement on X. During the meeting, he emphasized "Lebanon's esteem and gratitude for Iraq's constant support in various fields, especially in oil matters."
A fuel supply contract was concluded between Lebanon and Iraq under an agreement signed in the summer of 2021 and renewed since.
This agreement stipulates that Iraq, through SOMO (the state agency responsible for marketing Iraqi oil), will provide a monthly shipment of crude oil to a third-party company which, in return, will deliver a quantity of fuel compatible with the power plants of Electricity of Lebanon (EDL), equivalent in value to the crude oil received.
