Media adviser to Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Rafiq Shalala, underlined that the participation of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, held in Beirut last week, gave the summit an impetus in light of the conditions  in which it was held.
In an statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the presidential adviser said that Qatar, through His Highness the Amir’s personal participation in the summit, and its contribution to supporting the Lebanese economy, aimed at emphasising to the world that Lebanon is not abandoned and has a special place in the hearts of the Gulf people in general and Qataris in particular.
Shalala added, “Qatar has a long record of giving, solidarity and support to Lebanon, and that the relations between the two countries are deep-rooted and are constantly developing and growing. The relations are characterised by brotherhood and reflect the close friendship bonds between the leaderships and peoples of the two countries.”
In this regard, he praised Qatar’s purchase of Lebanese government bonds worth $500mn, stressing that it was an important step to support the Lebanese economy and effectively translate the existing relations between the two countries.
“This initiative complements a long march of good relations between the two countries and the Qatari support to Lebanon,” he said, adding that Qatar has always been supportive to Lebanon whether in terms of development projects, construction or direct assistance to ministries.
The Lebanese official referred to His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani’s visit to Beirut in 2006, after the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, when Qatar announced the reconstruction of towns in southern Lebanon. 
He noted that the visit of His Highness the Father Amir broke the Israeli siege, and was welcomed officially and popularly for being the first visit of an Arab leader to the border villages. The Lebanese then launched the famous phrase “Thank you Qatar”.
The Lebanese presidential media adviser praised the way the Lebanese community in Qatar are treated, noting that there are about 40,000 Lebanese in Qatar who feel that they are in their second home and are contributing to the economic renaissance in Qatar.