Iraq Reaffirms Fuel Support for Lebanon
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Synopsis
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has confirmed the nation's commitment to aiding Lebanon, particularly with fuel supplies, during a conversation with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. This support aims to strengthen bilateral relations and assist Lebanon in overcoming pressing challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Iraq's ongoing support for Lebanon includes fuel provision.
- Al-Sudani and Salam discussed enhancing bilateral ties.
- The Iraqi Cabinet is coordinating fuel shipments to Lebanon.
- Relief efforts have been initiated since the conflict began.
- State employees' salaries will contribute to aid for Gaza and Lebanon.
Baghdad, Feb 20 (NationPress) Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to supporting the people of Lebanon, particularly through the provision of fuel.
During a phone conversation with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Al-Sudani discussed strategies to bolster bilateral ties and address the latest regional developments, as stated by his media office on Wednesday.
The Iraqi leader assured that Iraq would persist in its assistance for Lebanon, especially in fuel supply, to help enhance the country's ability to tackle various challenges, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
Al-Sudani conveyed his sincere wishes for the success of his Lebanese counterpart in his new responsibilities, highlighting that Iraq's ongoing support for the Lebanese population is essential, particularly concerning fuel provision, following Council of Ministers decisions aimed at reinforcing Lebanon’s resilience.
Nawaf Salam, in turn, emphasized his administration's dedication to strengthening relations with Iraq across various sectors, stressing the significance of collaborative efforts to foster security and stability in the region.
An official source informed Shafaq News Agency that the Iraqi Cabinet convened on November 26, 2024, under the leadership of Prime Minister Al-Sudani, to discuss various domestic matters and regional developments.
With respect to the regional situation, the official confirmed that the Cabinet would evaluate the dispatching of fuel to Lebanon in cooperation with relevant authorities from both nations, ensuring all necessary permissions for organized delivery.
Since the onset of hostilities in Lebanon, Baghdad has promptly initiated relief operations at both governmental and private levels, supplying food, fuel, and hundreds of tons of aid.
Furthermore, the Cabinet resolved to voluntarily deduct one percent from state employees' salaries as donations to both Gaza and Lebanon, where Israeli attacks have resulted in over 3,500 fatalities in Lebanon and more than 44,000 in Gaza, predominantly among women and children.
Prior to the conflict, Iraq had already dispatched approximately 100 fuel tankers to Lebanon, assisting its populace amid ongoing crises, including a fuel shortage attributed to the central bank's inability to provide dollars for oil imports, leading to an 80 percent decrease in electricity supply.
