During his meeting on Wednesday with the special envoy of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and the accompanying delegation, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun highlighted the strength of Lebanese-Iraqi relations, noting that “several commonalities unite the Lebanese and Iraqi peoples,” and expressed gratitude to Iraq for the support it has provided to Lebanon and its people over the years.

Aoun noted that “the initiative announced by the Iraqi Prime Minister during the Arab Summit in Baghdad last May, which allocated $20 million for reconstruction in Lebanon, marked the start of Arab and international efforts to rebuild what was destroyed by successive Israeli aggressions.”

He emphasized that “the return of southerners to their towns and villages is Lebanon’s priority, to restore their dignity and put an end to their ongoing suffering.”

Aoun expressed his gratitude to the Iraqi Prime Minister for his supportive stance toward Lebanon, conveying through his personal envoy his greetings and best wishes for continued success. He also thanked the brotherly Iraqi people for standing by their Lebanese counterparts through the various challenges Lebanon has faced.

At the start of the meeting, Hassan Al-Awadi, the special envoy of the Iraqi Prime Minister, conveyed Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s greetings to President Aoun, reaffirming Iraq’s ongoing support for Lebanon and its commitment to providing needed aid. He explained that his visit aims to update the President and Lebanese officials on the Iraqi government’s dedication to its obligations toward Lebanon, particularly those announced by the Prime Minister at the Baghdad summit last May regarding reconstruction efforts.

Al-Awadi added that an office will be opened within the Iraqi embassy in Beirut to oversee the implementation of this aid, coordinate with Lebanese institutions, and establish priorities - reflecting Iraq’s determination to help strengthen stability and encourage southerners to remain in their land.

He emphasized that “relations between Lebanon and Iraq have not been shaped by the governments, but by the enduring desire of the Lebanese and Iraqi peoples to strengthen their fraternal ties.”

The Director General of General Security, Brigadier General Hassan Choucair, who attended the meeting, noted that “the reconstruction and restoration of damaged or destroyed public institutions in the south will receive special attention to ensure they can resume their functions and serve residents of affected villages.”

He also highlighted various aspects of cooperation between Lebanon and Iraq, emphasizing the support Lebanon continues to receive from Iraq across multiple sectors.

Additionally, Aoun received the Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari, who said after the meeting that he had conveyed the President's holiday greetings. The discussion also addressed the overall situation in Lebanon, as well as Lebanese-Saudi relations and ways to further develop them across all fields.

Joseph Aoun and Walid Bukhari (Lebanese Presidency).

Elsewhere, the President of the Republic signed Decree No. 2188 on December 23, 2025, convening an extraordinary session of Parliament from January 2, 2026, to March 1, 2026. The decree also outlined the agenda for this extraordinary session as follows:

• The 2026 draft budget.
• Draft laws already referred to Parliament and those pending referral.
• All other draft laws, proposals, and texts that the Parliament office decides to submit to Parliament.

The decree was signed by Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam.