Lebanese ambassador: 8,000 Lebanese have arrived in Iraq, flights continue daily

BAGHDAD — The Lebanese Ambassador to Iraq, Ali Habhab, announced that 8,000 Lebanese nationals have arrived in Iraq, with an average of four daily flights from Beirut Airport. Additionally, a number of people have entered Iraq via the Al-Qaim border crossing by land. The ambassador emphasized that housing arrangements have been made for all arrivals, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani for his efforts, stating that the prime minister’s actions in support of Lebanese arrivals were “ahead of all Arab and Islamic countries.”

Ali Habhab’s statements to Iraqi News Agency:

Iraq is making a tremendous effort in monitoring Lebanese guests wishing to enter its territory. The number of arrivals to Iraq so far is estimated at 8,000 citizens.

There are three daily flights from Beirut to Baghdad, one flight to Najaf, and another to Basra, in addition to the Al-Qaim border crossing, which receives most of those wishing to enter Iraqi territory. For those without documents, temporary travel statements are issued by the embassy in coordination with the Border Ports Authority.

The Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement is following up on the registration of arrivals, and the Popular Mobilization Forces are making great efforts in facilitating the transition to shelter centers. There are more than 1,000 Lebanese residents in Iraq working in various sectors who contributed to welcoming the arrivals.

Since the beginning of the Zionist aggression’s expansion in Lebanon, our embassy in Baghdad has not stopped receiving calls from tribal leaders, governmental and non-governmental institutions, the holy shrines, and political entities expressing their desire to help. There are daily communications, especially after the statement by the supreme religious authority in Najaf to offer assistance.

The embassy in Baghdad is seeking to form a Lebanese coordination committee to coordinate efforts with these institutions to organize the sheltering process, visit centers, and organize the aid mechanism. The embassy in Baghdad is directing coordination with the Higher Committee formed by the Iraqi government regarding donations through the two accounts opened by the Iraqi government.

The Iraq’s prime minister’s efforts were ahead of all Arab and Islamic countries through his actions during his visit to participate in the United Nations General Assembly meetings and the diplomatic communications he made with senior officials and ongoing diplomatic contacts within Iraq.

The French initiative to organize an international conference to address the issue of displacement in Lebanon is being followed and supported by the Iraqi government, and it will have a significant impact on the course of relations with Arab countries, which have recently begun to move toward humanitarian support and standing by Lebanon in these difficult times.