“Iraq is making a tremendous effort in the matter of following up on Lebanese guests wishing to enter its territory,” Ambassador Ali al-Habhab told Iraqi state media, confirming that Iraq has received about 8,000 Lebanese nationals so far.
Iraq officially labels Lebanese citizens fleeing the conflict as “guests of Iraq,” and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani last week approved the allocation of 3 billion dinars (about $2.27 million) to the migration ministry to assist Lebanese refugees arriving in the country.
Habhab thanked Sudani for his efforts, saying they “were ahead of all Arab and Islamic efforts through the steps he took during his visit to participate in the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly.”
According to the ambassador, there are three daily flights from Beirut to Baghdad, one to Najaf, and another to Basra, in addition to the al-Qaim border crossing between Syria and Iraq’s Anbar province “which receives most of those wishing to enter Iraqi territory.”
“Those who do not have documents are issued temporary travel statements from the embassy in cooperation with the [Iraqi] Border Ports Authority,” he explained.
In addition to the Iraqi government, the Shiite religious authorities in Najaf and Karbala have also expedited efforts to welcome Lebanese refugees.
Iraq has also sent several rounds of aid to Lebanon, with the Iraqi Red Crescent Society on Tuesday saying that 150 tons of food supplies and aid have been dispatched to the country since the conflict began.
Israeli bombardments have killed 2,255 people and injured 10,524 others in Lebanon, according to data compiled by the Lebanese health ministry. Nearly a quarter of the population, 1.2 million people, have been displaced, Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said earlier this month.
Iraqi militia groups have also launched drone strikes at Israel, raising concerns that Iraq could be dragged into the war - something Iraqi officials say they want to avoid.
“Iraq is making every valuable and courageous effort, led by the prime minister and political leaders, to steer clear of any problems that may arise for the country and to protect its people,” Qassim al-Araji, Iraq's national security advisor, told Rudaw on Saturday.
