Iraqi PM to Resolve Fuel Export Issues to Lebanon

An Iraqi government source told Al-Mayadeen that Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi will hold a meeting today, Friday, with several officials to begin exporting fuel to Lebanon.

A Lebanese delegation has also arrived in the Iraqi capital today, headed by Lebanese General Security General Director Major General Abbas Ibrahim and Oil Minister Raymond Ghajar to add the final touches to the oil export agreement.

The oil transfer will be from Iraq to an Arab country that can refine it in accordance with the needs of Lebanese fuel and power stations and later transport it to Lebanon. 

Major General Ibrahim had earlier told Al-Mayadeen on July 16th that all procedures to import fuel from Iraq have been accomplished, and Beirut is only waiting to schedule for the agreement to be signed.

Lebanon is currently experiencing an economic crisis, said by the World Bank to be one of the top three crises since the mid-19th century. The Iraqi government had agreed on June 9th to supply Lebanon with crude oil and increased its support to 1 million tons of oil.

The state's syndicate of hospitals warned on Monday of a "health disaster" due to continued electricity blackouts, and the shortage in fuel for generators, especially in light of the pandemic. Lebanon's currency has also devalued by more than 90% against the dollar because of the crisis.