President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, affirmed that “Lebanon appreciates the role played by the State of Qatar in helping it overcome the difficult circumstances it is facing through the support it provides,” recalling the phrase often repeated by Lebanese people: ‘Thank you, Qatar.’
President Aoun conveyed to Qatari Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, during their meeting today at Baabda Palace, in the presence of Qatari Ambassador to Lebanon Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, and the accompanying delegation, that “Lebanon looks forward to the continuation of Qatari support, and the new Qatari initiatives are a clear proof of the depth of the deep fraternal relations between Lebanon and the State of Qatar, which grow stronger day by day.”
President Aoun briefed Minister Al-Khulaifi on the current situation, noting “the security stability Lebanon is experiencing and the measures taken by the security forces to maintain calm, in addition to combating drugs, suppressing smuggling, and other crimes.”
President Aoun also addressed the situation in south Lebanon, affirming that “the Lebanese army is fully carrying out its duties in the areas where it has deployed south of the Litani River, while Israeli attacks on southern villages and towns continue, including the destruction of homes and displacement of residents, sometimes extending to villages in the Bekaa. Israel has not responded to repeated calls to comply with the Nov. 2024 agreement and implement Resolution 1701. This Israeli stance prevents the return of security and safety to the south, in addition to the repercussions it causes across various levels.”
President Aoun also pointed out that “contacts are ongoing ahead of the meeting of the Mechanism Committee scheduled for next month, in order to reach practical results that accelerate the restoration of stability in the South, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the return of prisoners, and the deployment of the army up to the internationally recognized southern borders.” He also stressed that “pressure on Israel to facilitate the work of the Mechanism Committee is necessary to ensure implementation of Resolution 1701 in all its aspects.
While thanking Qatar for “the support it has provided and continues to provide to the Lebanese army,” President Aoun pointed out “the army’s need for equipment, vehicles and tools that enable it to carry out its required tasks, not only in the south but across the entire Lebanese territory.”
Regarding the relationship between Lebanon and Syria, President Aoun affirmed that “contacts between the two countries are ongoing, and the situation along the Lebanese-Syrian border is better than before, in addition to the consultations taking place between the two countries to address several issues, particularly the return of Syrian displaced persons to their country after the reasons for their continued presence on Lebanese territory have been removed. Lebanon welcomes any Arab support in general and Qatari support in particular to help facilitate this return.”
President Aoun conveyed, via Minister Al-Khulaifi, his greetings to the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, reiterating his thanks for the “Qatari support and cooperation in all fields, particularly in the field of gas and oil exploration through the consortium that includes Qatari, French and Italian companies.”
Minister Al Khulaifi, in turn, conveyed to President Aoun the greetings of the Emir of Qatar and its Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, emphasizing his country’s unwavering support for Lebanon, “which remains at the forefront of its foreign policy priorities.”
Speaker Berri broaches latest local and regional developments with Qatari Minister
House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Monday received at the Second Presidency headquarters in Ain al-Tineh, Qatari Minister Al-Khulaifi, and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of Qatari Ambassador to Lebanon, Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, and Speaker Berri’s Media Advisor Ali Hamdan.
The meeting reportedly addressed the latest developments in Lebanon and the broad region, and the bilateral tied between Lebanon and Qatar.
Speaker Berri expressed to Minister Al-Khulaifi and the accompanying delegation “the thanks of Lebanon and the Lebanese people to Qatar- its Emir, government and people- for their constant standing by Lebanon and their steadfast support across various fields, particularly their support for the Lebanese army enabling it to carry out its comprehensive national role, and for Qatar’s noble contribution to the reconstruction of what has been destroyed by the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon.”
