Beirut: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, and First Lady Nehmat Aoun, returned to Beirut this afternoon coming from Doha, where they offered condolences on the passing of Qatar's Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

According to National News Agency - Lebanon, President Aoun and First Lady arrived in Doha this morning, where they were received by Qatar's Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani and Lebanon's Ambassador to Doha Bilal Qabalan.

The President then proceeded to Lusail Palace, where he offered condolences to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in the presence of Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani; Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani; Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir's Personal Representative; Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Khalifa Al Thani; Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani; Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani; Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani; Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; and several sons of the late Emir.

President Aoun conveyed to the Emir of Qatar the condolences of the Lebanese people over the passing of the Father Emir, recalling his supportive stances toward Lebanon in various circumstances and fields, particularly during the 2006 war, as well as his initiatives that contributed to restoring the functioning of constitutional institutions and enhancing security stability in 2008.

President Aoun said that "the Lebanese will not forget what the late Emir did for the welfare of Lebanon, nor the policy he had established, which Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani continues to pursue to strengthen and further develop the fraternal relations between the two countries in all fields."

For her part, First Lady Nehmat Aoun offered condolences to the late Emir's widow, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, in the presence of several members of the family, at Al Wajba Palace.