Lebanese PM Expected to Visit Iraq for Crucial Talks on Oil, Trade, and Regional Security
Salam is scheduled to meet with senior Iraqi leaders in Baghdad to negotiate the purchase of Iraqi crude oil at preferential rates.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is expected to visit Iraq in the coming days for a two-day official visit focused on strengthening bilateral ties through discussions on oil supplies, trade, and regional developments, sources told Shafaq News on Sunday.
According to the report, Salam is scheduled to meet with senior Iraqi leaders in Baghdad to negotiate the purchase of Iraqi crude oil at preferential rates. Talks will also cover broader economic support for Lebanon, regional coordination on the war in Gaza, cooperation on the situation in Syria, and joint efforts to bolster border security.
The visit follows an invitation from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, delivered last Wednesday by Iraq’s chargé d’affaires in Beirut, Nida Karim Mujul, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA).
Energy at the Core of the Talks
Iraq and Lebanon have maintained an oil-for-services arrangement since 2021, whereby Iraq has supplied Lebanon with fuel oil to help keep its ailing power grid running. In March, the two countries agreed to renew and expand the deal, transitioning from fuel oil to crude oil—an important shift aimed at improving energy output in Lebanon’s struggling power sector.
However, tensions have occasionally flared due to Lebanon’s delayed payments for earlier fuel shipments. Despite this, Iraq remains a critical energy lifeline for Lebanon, whose economic crisis, exacerbated by the collapse of its banking system and dwindling foreign reserves, has led to frequent blackouts and severe limitations on essential public services.
A Broader Bilateral and Regional Agenda
Beyond energy cooperation, Salam’s visit is expected to include discussions on revitalizing trade between the two countries and enhancing regional dialogue, particularly regarding the escalating conflict in Gaza and Syria’s ongoing instability.
Iraq and Lebanon share a history of cooperation marked by both economic exchange and political dialogue. Baghdad has consistently expressed willingness to support Lebanon amid its financial collapse, while Beirut sees Iraq as a key regional partner with growing diplomatic and economic influence.
As regional tensions remain high, particularly due to the ongoing war in Gaza and the risk of broader conflict, Salam’s visit comes at a critical time for both countries to align their positions and deepen collaboration.
No official date has yet been confirmed for the visit, but diplomatic sources suggest it will take place within the coming week.
