INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
BEIRUT During an interview with the Qatari Al-Araby Al-Jadeed (New Arab), Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated, We will not duplicate the
experience of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in taking in Hezbollah into the [Lebanese] army, nor will it be an independent system
within this army, stressing that the decision was made to limit arms to the state.The Iraqi Foreign Ministry immediately summoned Ali
al-Habhab, the Lebanese ambassador to Baghdad, to express its annoyance with Aouns statements.Iraqi Assistant Foreign Minister for Bilateral
Relations Mohammed Bahr al-Ulum noted that the PMF is an important part of the military security system in Iraq, and it is a governmental
and legal organization and part of the Iraqi state system.Bahr al-Ulum added that what the Lebanese president stated was not suitable
It would have been better not to make a comparison in this regard or use an official Iraqi institution as an example in this context, he
noted.However, sources revealed that contacts are underway between Baghdad and Beirut in rebuilding Lebanon following the September-November
U.S.-led Israeli aggressiveness on Lebanon under the management of the Lebanese government.It was likewise reported that Baghdad is thinking
about asking for Lebanon to transfer the debt it owes for buying Iraqi fuel to run Lebanese power plants in the Banque du Liban, and later
on reveal the donation to the reconstruction fund.Economic observers, however, have seriously cautioned that the Lebanese federal government
might concur just to cross out these debts and after that use the unavailability of funds as an excuse; hence, the funds will not be
disbursed to those impacted by the aggressiveness, in compliance with orders from Washington to freeze the reconstruction process.Aouns
neglect for Iraqs sovereign affairs constitutes a violation of his pledge during his inaugural address to Parliament.He stated, My promise
is to develop the best relations with our sibling Arab countries, based upon the reality that Lebanon is Arab in its affiliation and
identity, and to develop tactical partnerships with the countries of the Levant, the Arabian Gulf, and North Africa, to avoid any conspiracy
versus their regimes and sovereignty, and to practice a policy of positive neutrality.Nevertheless, his recent declarations do not line up
with this so-called claim of favorable neutrality
Rather, they constitute an unfavorable predisposition, which not just harms Lebanons relations with friendly countries, specifically Iraq,
which has always maintained the very best fraternal ties with Lebanon.Following the 2019 recession brought on by a pro-U.S
corrupt oligarchy, Baghdad sent out convoys of trucks filled with oil, wheat, and food aid.Iraqi healthcare facilities and medical
organizations did the exact same following the 2020 Beirut port surge and the Pager and Walkie-Talkie massacres in September 2024
Baghdad likewise did not hesitate to offer all required services to the displaced throughout the current Israeli hostility, providing
shelter, food, and important materials
These humanitarian moves accompanied the Iraqi federal governments support for the resistances right to protect Lebanon against Israel.The
prevalent Iraqi involvement in the funeral for the 2 assassinated Hezbollah secretaries-general, Sayyed Nasrallah and Safi al-Din, was
striking.This is not Aouns first slip of the tongue!During the amazing Arab summit for Palestine, in Cairo, he also stated: When Beirut is
occupied, Damascus is destroyed, Amman is threatened, Baghdad groans, or Sanaa falls ..
it is impossible for anybody to claim that this remains in assistance of Palestine.While uttering these unmeasured remarks, his body
movement and facial expressions verify, nevertheless, they were not a slip of the tongue, but rather a foreign dictate he was required to
acknowledge.Imam Ali (peace be upon him) says, No one conceals anything without it being revealed in the slips of his tongue and the
This post very first appeared/also appeared in Tehran Times
