Baabda:Baabda Palace President Joseph Aoun expressed appreciation for Qatar's continued support for Lebanon and its efforts to promote regional stability during talks with Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani on Friday.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, Aoun praised the role of Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and the Qatari leadership in seeking to ease regional tensions through dialogue and diplomatic engagement. He thanked Qatar for its longstanding assistance to Lebanon and urged Doha to continue working with Arab and international partners to press Israel to halt its attacks on South Lebanon and implement the framework agreement reached through US-sponsored negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.
Aoun also renewed his condemnation of attacks against Gulf states, particularly the recent strikes on Saudi Arabia, reaffirming Lebanon's solidarity with Gulf countries and their peoples. In terms of bilateral relations, he welcomed further Lebanese-Qatari cooperation across various sectors, particularly energy, and recalled Qatar's willingness to help address Lebanon's longstanding electricity crisis.
He briefed the Qatari premier on continued Israeli attacks in South Lebanon, the resulting casualties and destruction, and the occupation of several southern towns and villages. Aoun expressed gratitude for Qatar's assistance during Lebanon's successive crises, describing the visit as a renewed message of hope and solidarity with the Lebanese people.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani conveyed greetings from the Qatari Emir and reaffirmed Doha's unwavering support for Lebanon, expressing hope that the country would overcome its current challenges through close coordination and cooperation. He mentioned that the visit aimed to advance previously established plans to support Lebanon, strengthen bilateral cooperation, and accelerate the implementation of joint initiatives.
Discussions also covered regional and international developments, particularly the situation in South Lebanon. Al-Thani expressed Qatar's readiness to assist Lebanon and reaffirmed its support for the country's sovereignty. On energy cooperation, the Qatari premier announced that discussions had reached advanced stages on several projects aimed at providing comprehensive solutions to Lebanon's electricity crisis. These initiatives could involve both the state-owned QatarEnergy and private companies, highlighting a major strategic energy project linking Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.
Following expanded talks, Aoun and Al-Thani held a separate meeting to further discuss issues of mutual interest. Afterward, the Qatari premier described the discussions as productive, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and implementing joint projects that would contribute to regional security, stability, and economic prosperity.
He said Qatar was committed to advancing integrated energy solutions and would pursue the agreed projects during subsequent meetings with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Al-Thani also reaffirmed Qatar's support for the Lebanese state's efforts to restore its authority throughout the country, calling for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territory and the handover of those areas to the Lebanese Army. He reiterated that Qatar would continue supporting the Lebanese military.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Minister Youssef Raggi, Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, and Qatar's Ambassador to Lebanon Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.