Lebanon president arrives in Iraq for talks

By Ibrahim Salih

BAGHDAD (AA) – Lebanese President Michel Aoun arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday for talks with Iraqi officials, for his first visit to Iraq since he was elected Lebanon’s president in October 2016.

He will hold talks on a host of issues with Iraqi President Fuad Masum, Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi and Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri, according to a source with the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.

The issue of Lebanese nationals wanted by Iraqi authorities for alleged links to Daesh and al-Qaeda terrorist groups will top the agenda of Aoun’s talks in Iraq during his two-day visit, the source said.

Earlier this month, Iraqi authorities issued a list of 60 Lebanese nationals wanted by Baghdad for membership in Daesh and al-Qaeda groups.

On the list is Maan Bashour, the former secretary-general of the Arab National Conference, who is accused by Iraqi authorities of recruiting terrorists in Iraq.