Aoun meets Iraqi PM’s envoy, reaffirms strong ties and southern return priority, meets Bukhari

BAABDA — On Wednesday, President Joseph Aoun met with the special envoy of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and his accompanying delegation at Baabda Presidential Palace to discuss Lebanese–Iraqi relations and Iraq’s support for Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported. Aoun later met with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Boukhari to review bilateral relations and the broader situation in Lebanon.

During the meeting with Iraqi envoy Hassan al-Awadi, Aoun highlighted that “the initiative announced by the Iraqi Prime Minister during the Arab Summit in Baghdad last May, allocating $20 million for reconstruction in Lebanon, constituted a starting point for Arab and international assistance to rebuild what was destroyed by repeated Israeli attacks.” He added that “the return of the people of the South to their towns and villages is a priority for Lebanon, to preserve their dignity and end their ongoing suffering.”

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The World Bank estimates the cost of reconstructing southern Lebanon at $11 billion, excluding damage from near-daily strikes that occurred after the cease-fire at the end of November 2024. Reconstruction efforts have largely stalled since then, leaving the future of border communities uncertain. U.S. envoys have proposed demilitarizing the region to create an “economic zone” in exchange for Hezbollah disarmament.

Reconstruction 'will receive special attention'

Awadi said his visit aimed to “inform the President and Lebanese officials that the Iraqi government is proceeding with the implementation of its commitments, particularly those announced by the Prime Minister at the Baghdad Summit last May to assist in Lebanon’s reconstruction.” He added that Iraq would open an office at its embassy in Beirut to coordinate with Lebanese authorities, set priorities and support stability, encouraging southern residents to remain on their land.

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Director General of General Security Hassan Choukair, who attended the meeting, said the “reconstruction or rehabilitation of destroyed or damaged official institutions in the South will receive special attention to restore operations and serve the residents of affected villages.”

He also reviewed other areas of Lebanese–Iraqi cooperation and reiterated Iraq’s ongoing support across multiple sectors.

Saudi-Lebanese relations and 'ways to develop them in all fields' discussed

In a separate meeting, Aoun received the Saudi ambassador, who said he “extended congratulations to the President on the upcoming holidays” and that discussions focused on the general situation in Lebanon, Lebanese–Saudi relations, and ways to develop them in all fields.

After years of limited engagement, partly due to Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanese politics, the election of Aoun and the appointment of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam earlier this year have warmed Lebanon’s ties with Arab countries. Riyadh has openly supported the current government, particularly for its stance on Hezbollah’s monopoly on arms and the planned disarmament initiative.