BEIRUT — In an interview with Qatar al-Arabi al-Jade (New Arab), Lebanon President Joseph Ounce said, “We will not replicate the experience of the popular mobilised forces (PMF) that absorb Hezbollah into the (Lebanese) military.
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry immediately summoned Ali al-Habab, the Lebanese ambassador to Baghdad, expressing his “dissatisfaction” in a statement from Aoun.
Foreign Minister for Iraq’s bilateral relations Mohammed Baar al-Ulm said, “The PMF is an important part of Iraq’s military security system, a government and legal body, and a part of the Iraqi national system.”
Baar al-Ulm added that what the Lebanese president said was “not appropriate.” He pointed out that it would have been more appropriate to not make a comparison on this point or “using the official Iraqi institution as an example of this context.”
However, sources revealed that contacts between Baghdad and Beirut are ongoing when rebuilding Lebanon following the September-November attacks on Lebanon, which is under the control of the Lebanese government.
It has also been reported that Baghdad is considering requesting Lebanon to purchase Iraqi fuel and deposit debts to operate Lebanon’s power plants, and later announced a donation to the Reconstruction Fund.
However, the economic observers seriously warned that the Lebanese government would merely amortize these obligations and then agreed to use the inability to use the funds as an excuse. Therefore, in accordance with an order from Washington to freeze the reconstruction process, no funds will be paid to those affected by the attack.
Aoun’s disregard for Iraq’s sovereignty issues constitutes a violation of his pledge during his inaugural address to Congress.
He said, “My pledge is to establish the best relationship with our sister Arab countries based on the fact that Lebanon is Arab in its affiliation and identity, to establish strategic partnerships with the countries of the Levant, the Arabian Gulf and North Africa, to prevent conspiracy against regime and sovereignty, and to implement positive Chinese policies.
Nonetheless, his recent statement does not coincide with this so-called claim of “positive neutrality.” Rather, they constitute “negative bias.” This not only harms Lebanon’s ties with friendly countries, particularly Iraq, but has always maintained its highest sibling relationship with Lebanon.
Baghdad sent trucks carrying oil, wheat and food aid to the convoy following the 2019 economic crisis caused by a corrupt, corrupt olihead.
Following the 2020 explosion at Beirut Port and the massacre of pagers and transceivers in September 2020, Iraqi hospitals and medical institutions did the same.
Baghdad also did not hesitate to provide all the services needed to those who were refuge during the recent Israeli attacks. These humanitarian moves coincided with the Iraqi government’s support for the right to resist Lebanon against Israel.
The extensive Iraqi participation in the funerals of two assassinated Hezbollah secretary general, Syednaslala and Safiardin, was impressive.
This is not Aoun’s first tongue slip!
During the Palestine Arab summit in Cairo, he said: “Beirut is occupied, Damascus is destroyed, Amman is threatened, Baghdad’s moans, or Sanaa waterfalls… it is impossible to argue that this is supporting Palestine.”
While making these unmeasured remarks, he confirms his body language and expressions, but they are not the slipping of his tongue, but rather the instructions of foreigners he has had to admit.
Imam Ali (peace be upon him) says, “No one hides anything without being revealed in the slipping of his tongue or the expression on his face.”