Lebanese- Iraqi economic relations

The economic sides in Lebanon have welcomed appointing Wafiq Ruheimi as the first Lebanese diplomat at the rank of a consultant for the charge de affairs of the Lebanese embassy in Iraq. This decision was taken after Beirut had decided in march this year to resume diplomatic relations with Iraq following a suspension of 7 years.

On July 17, the Lebanese minister of the economy Bassel Fleihan announced that Lebanon and Iraq will sign " shortly" an agreement on free exchange.

Moreover, the steps taken by the Lebanese government was greatly welcomed by the Lebanese economic bodies which have been calling since several years to restore back diplomatic relations between the two states to normalcy and to accelerate the convening of an agreement for free trade similar to the agreements held between Syria and Jordan and Syria and Egypt.

In a statement, chairman of the board in charge of promoting exports at the Lebanese industrialists society Ahmad Kabarah said that " nominating the Lebanese diplomat in the Lebanese embassy in Iraq is considered a basic and an important step to strengthening relations between the two countries," noting that is one of the most important elements for enabling the signing of the free trade agreement between the two countries very soon.

Recently the Lebanese government decided to take several steps of raproachment with Iraq. It extended an invitation to the Iraqi vice President Taha Ramadan to visit Beirut later this year.