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Oil corridor talks in Baghdad
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in Baghdad on Sunday as both governments discussed “economic alliances” and the possibility of relaunching an old oil pipeline toward the Mediterranean Sea.
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The teleSUR English report said the Iraqi government framed the talks as an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz, with the relaunch of the Kirkuk (Iraq) – Tripoli (Lebanon) oil pipeline on the table during Salam’s trip.
The New Arab reported that Salam arrived in Baghdad for talks focused on energy cooperation, security coordination and regional developments, with Beirut seeking continued Iraqi fuel supplies amid its electricity crisis.
In Baghdad, Iraqi government economic adviser Mazhar Mohammed Salih described the energy file as central, saying the sides sought to extend and develop the agreement to supply Lebanon with Iraqi fuel that “has helped keep Lebanon's electricity sector alive over recent years.”
Fuel lifeline and security
Mazhar Mohammed Salih told journalists in Baghdad on Sunday that Salam’s visit represented an opportunity to deepen the economic relationship beyond existing political ties, describing it as “a strategic lifeline” linking Baghdad and Beirut through shared economic interests.
The New Arab also quoted Iraqi parliament Foreign Relations Committee member Mukhtar Al-Moussawi saying the visit was “an important milestone in Iraqi-Lebanese relations,” particularly as it came amid “complex regional circumstances” requiring stronger political coordination.
In a separate account, teleSUR English said Salam emphasized Lebanon’s commitment to “strengthen connectivity and strategic integration projects with the countries of the region, in various sectors, especially energy, communications and transport.”
The New Arab reported that discussions were expected to focus on extending oil cooperation, strengthening trade and investment ties, and expanding collaboration in transport, banking and reconstruction, with Iraq’s continued fuel supplies to Lebanon expected to top the agenda.
What’s at stake next
The National said Salam’s Baghdad visit aimed at closer economic co-operation with Iraq, with energy and transport described as key priorities and a “guaranteed supply of fuel for Lebanon's power plants” expected to be high on Salam’s agenda.
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The National also tied the talks to the possibility of extending an oil pipeline to Lebanon from the one planned to transport Iraqi crude oil to international markets through Syria, describing a Mediterranean route via Syria and Lebanon as re-emerging in discussions.
teleSUR English said the relaunch of the Kirkuk-Tripoli pipeline was framed as a strategic asset in the face of disruptions in the Persian Gulf—particularly in the Strait of Hormuz—that threaten global crude flows.
In the same teleSUR English account, the Iraqi Prime Minister’s office statement said the meeting addressed “ways to strengthen bilateral relations in various economic, political and security fields,” while Salam said Lebanon aspired to be “an active partner of Iraq in shaping these regional projects.”
