Qatar has continuously stated its stance to support the government and people of Lebanon as they navigate through challenging economic and social conditions. In the last year, Qatar has provided medical, food, and financial aid to Lebanon in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the disheartening Beirut Port blasts, and the ensuing damages to the country.
Understanding the relationship between both countries goes beyond the recent events but also a relationship based on clarity, commitment to the principles, and shared values anchoring on cooperation, mutual respect, and sincere meanings of Arab brotherhood. Qatar has always aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries.
The Qatari Embassy in Lebanon is one of the first embassies to operate in 1972. Since then, Qatar has contributed to rebuilding efforts in several towns in southern Lebanon following the July 2006 war. Qatar also hosted the Doha Lebanese National Dialogue in 2008, resulting in the “Doha agreement.” Qatar contributed to the building of the Imam Shafi’i Mosque in Beirut.
Recently, Lebanon’s army chief Joseph Aoun had appealed to the world during a meeting organised by France for assistance for soldiers’ wages due to the fall in the Lebanese pound, compounded by inflation.
During his visit to the country on Tuesday, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Shiekh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani promised the country would provide 70 tonnes of food a month to the Lebanese armed forces.
He renewed Qatar’s call on all Lebanese parties to prioritise the national interest and expedite the formation of a new government to achieve stability in Lebanon. In February, Qatar offered to facilitate dialogue between Lebanese politicians on the formation of a new government. The Foreign Minister met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who expressed Lebanon’s appreciation for Qatar’s ongoing support and welcomed any step by Qatar to help resolve its current crises.
According to the World Bank, Lebanon is suffering from one of the worst depressions of modern history. The currency has lost more than 90 percent of its value against the US dollar since the economic crisis erupted in 2019. More than half of the population has been propelled into poverty.
In June, Qatar, represented by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), signed an MoU with Lebanon’s Ministry of Health to reconstruct the old building of the Karantina Hospital in Beirut, which was damaged during the Beirut blast in August last year. Qatar’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have been a drive to bring peace, prosperity, and social stability to its people – an open strategy further bolstered by the Foreign Minister’s visit to Lebanon.
