NNA - Minister of National Defense, Maurice Sleem, currently on an official visit to Iraq on Tuesday visited President of the Iraqi Republic, Dr. Barham Salih, at the Al-Salam Palace in Baghdad. 

During the meeting, the pair discussed the existing relations that unite the two brotherly countries and peoples.

According to a statement by the Minister of Defense's press office, the meeting mainly stressed the importance of Iraqi-Lebanese bilateral relations, and the pressing need to work on strengthening them in various fields. 

The meeting also stressed the importance of cooperation within the military field through agreements and understandings, as well as coordination in the field of combating terrorism.

For his part, Minister Sleem valued “Iraq's supportive stance to the Lebanese people and to Lebanon’s stability through various challenges.”

Sleem also underlined “Lebanon's commitment to Iraq's security and stability, especially in its endeavors to restore its pivotal role to anchor peace in the region."

It is to note that Minister Sleem had met his Iraqi counterpart, Jumaa Inad Saadoun, and discussed with him the possibilities of cooperation between the defense ministries of both countries. The pair then signed a memorandum of understanding on developing bilateral military relations between the two countries.

==============R.H.