Lebanon's President Aoun in Baghdad to bolster ties

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Baghdad on Sunday for an official visit to bolster ties between the two countries.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani welcomed Mr Aoun on his arrival in the Iraqi capital. The two leaders held discussions on regional developments and ways to boost co-operation.

A ceremony was held to welcome Mr Aoun that "included the playing of the national anthems of Iraq and Lebanon, a review of the honour guard, and the salute of the flags of the two countries", according to a statement by the Iraqi news agency.

During his visit, Mr Aoun was also due to hold talks with President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid at the royal palace.

Mr Aoun was absent from the Arab League summit held earlier this month in Baghdad. Lebanon was instead represented by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

In April, Baghdad summoned Lebanon's ambassador to the country to voice “discomfort” over statements made by Mr Aoun about a paramilitary force backed by Baghdad.

The Popular Mobilisation Forces were formed to support the Iraqi military following a call by prominent Shiite cleric Ali Al Sistani after ISIS seized large parts of Iraq in 2014.

Mr Aoun said in an interview with Al Araby Al Jadeed that Lebanon would not emulate Iraq's integration of the PMF into state forces, as Lebanon seeks to create a state monopoly on weapons.

In response, Iraq's Foreign Ministry said "the PMF is an integral part of Iraq's military and security framework”. It said “linking the PMF to Lebanon's internal crisis was ill-advised and that Iraq should not have been dragged into Lebanon's domestic affairs or have its institutions used as examples in this context”.

Mr Aoun's administration has been under intense pressure from the US to disarm Hezbollah and other militia groups.