Qatar will spare no effort in helping Lebanese people: assistant FM

HE the Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs Dr Mohamed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi praised the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to provide a contribution from Qatar worth $60mn in support of the Lebanese Army, stressing that Qatar will spare no effort in helping always the brotherly Lebanese people at all times.

Lebanon's caretaker PM, army commander praise Qatar's support   Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has thanked Qatar for announcing the contribution of $60mn to support the Lebanese Army. This came at a meeting Mikati had on Thursday with HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, during the latter's visit to Beirut to attend the Arab foreign ministers' consultative meeting at the request of Lebanon, QNA reported. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral co-operation between the two countries, the latest development in the region, and a wide range of topics of joint interest. Mikati emphasised, during the meeting, the robust bilateral ties between the two countries in all fields, expressing his thanks to Qatar for announcing the contribution of $60mn to support the Lebanese Army. Mikati noted that his country lauds Qatar's permanent standing by its side and its constant support for its military and security forces, which is highly appreciated by all Lebanese people and subsequently helps overcoming the difficult phase the country is currently experiencing, in addition to maintaining stability.   Commander of the Lebanese Army Joseph Aoun For his part, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated that the announcement of this contribution comes within the framework of Qatar's steadfast commitment to supporting Lebanon and standing by the brotherly Lebanese people, in addition to its firm belief in the importance and necessity of joint Arab action. Meanwhile, Commander of the Lebanese Army Joseph Aoun expressed gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for the latter's support to the Lebanese Army. Aoun said, in a statement issued by the Lebanese Army, that Qatar's provision of $60mn in support of the army reflects Qatar's commitment to Lebanon, its people and its army, stressing that this aid is intended to support the elements of the army. The commander of the Lebanese army pointed out that Qatar has always been a pioneer in standing by Lebanon, especially the army, as Qatar took the initiative about a year ago to send monthly food aid to the military institution in the shadow of its suffering from the repercussions of the economic crisis that Lebanon is going through.

He said, in an interview with the Lebanese TV station 'MTV', that this aid also comes out of Qatar's firm commitment to Lebanon and its standing with the brotherly Lebanese people.
On Thursday, Qatar announced that it had provided $60mn in support of the Lebanese Army. Qatar had announced last July that it would support the Lebanese Army with 70 tonnes of foodstuff every month for a year.
In this regard, HE Dr al-Khulaifi drew attention to the efforts of Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and its many contributions to Lebanon, including those related to the health sector in treating Covid-19, its support for the development plans that the Fund is keen to present to Lebanon, as well as what it is related to the educational aspect of building a number of schools, and providing a number of scholarships to Lebanese, Palestinian and Syrian students at Lebanese universities.
He expressed Qatar's thanks to the brotherly Lebanon for its generous invitation to host the consultative meeting of Arab foreign ministers, stressing the importance of participating in this meeting and pointing to Qatar's keenness to participate in Arab consultative summits, which comprise discussion sessions for a large number of Arab issues, especially the Palestinian issue.
HE Dr al-Khulaifi expressed Qatar's hope to reach solutions "through which we can proceed to address a large number of Arab issues". He also expressed Qatar's aspiration to participate in the upcoming Arab Summit in Algeria in November.