Iraqi FM in Beirut on a Short Visit, Convenes with Aoun

Local Editor

Iraqi Foreign Affairs Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari arrived in the Lebanese capital Saturday on a short visit at the head of a delegation, a source at Beirut's airport.

The Iraqi Foreign Affairs Minister met with Lebanese Presidnet Michel Aoun. Both stressed the need to coordinate and unify efforts to fend off "terrorism," calling for more Arab solidarity.

"Combatting terrorism is not the responsibility of one state but requires collaboration and coordination between all countries," Aoun said during the meeting.

The president expressed hope that the upcoming Arab summit, which will be held in Jordan in March, would be able to "represent the much-needed Arab solidarity to fend off the circumstances that all Arab countries are passing through."

"We reached an understanding on the need to maintain the Arab League as a form of unity between Arabs. We don't dismiss the existence of division, as there are various regimes and backgrounds, but what unites us is more than what divides us," Jaafari told reporters at the Baabda Palace.

The diplomat handed Aoun a letter from his Iraqi counterpart President Fouad Masoum, congratulating Aoun on his election and the desire to promote bilateral ties between the two countries.

Masoum also invited Aoun to visit Baghdad. Aoun in turn accepted the official invitation and promised to visit Iraq soon.

Jaafari thanked Aoun for Lebanon's stances that support Iraq in regional and international arenas, adding that his country has no desire to interfere in the local affairs of any Arab country.

The meeting highlighted the local developments in both countries and the regional circumstances.

Accordingly, Jaafari underlined the "brotherly ties" between Lebanon and Iraq.

The flurry of diplomatic activity in Lebanon comes after a political breakthrough that led to the election of Aoun as the country's 13th president and the formation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's Cabinet.

The visit follows a trip by Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who departed Lebanon Saturday after a one-day visit where he met with Aoun, Hariri and Speaker Nabih Berri.

He expressed optimism from Rafik Hariri International Airport on the situation in Lebanon.

"Iraq is in control of the security situation and it is who decides our fate," Jaafari said after his meeting with Speaker Berrin in Ein Tineh.

Iran's Foreign Minister of Arab and African Affairs Hussein Amir Abdel-Lahyan will arrive in Beirut Monday, while European Union foreign policy Chief Federica Mogherini is expected to travel to the Lebanese capital Wednesday, the source added.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team