At the official invitation of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Lebanese President Michel Aoun will pay an official visit to Qatar today.
The visit is of particular importance as it is President Aoun’s first visit to Doha since assuming power in Lebanon after a two-and-a-half-year deadlock in parliament.
It is also important as it will provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss bilateral relations and means of cementing them and will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest along with ways to strengthen the prospects for co-operation and co-ordination in all fields.
Last November, HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani visited Lebanon during which he handed over a written message from HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to President Aoun, pertaining to bilateral relations between the two countries as well as an invitation to visit Qatar.
In the message, HH the Emir said that Aoun’s election ended a difficult period experienced by Lebanon.
He also wished the Lebanese President every success in his efforts to achieve more progress and prosperity for Lebanon, to consolidate its security and stability, and to retain its regional status and role.
During his meeting with HE the Foreign Minister, the Lebanese President highlighted the importance of the return of political stability and security to Lebanon, which would serve as a catalyst for the return of visits by GCC nationals to Lebanon.
The State of Qatar’s invitation of the Lebanese President to visit Doha showed a high sense of responsibility vis-a-vis Arab brothers and demonstrated Qatar’s willingness to further cement bilateral relations, and enhance the frameworks of co-ordination and co-operation for the sake of both countries.
For decades, the Qatari-Lebanese bilateral relations have been enjoying a history full of co-operation and friendship on the basis of trust and partnership that contributed to boosting growth and development in different sectors in the two countries.
The Lebanese President’s visit, which has been described by Lebanese observers as “historic”, would create an opportunity to discuss regional issues and the repercussion of crisis such as those relating to the issue of asylum, and the importance of addressing terrorism.
While Qatar has been supporting Lebanon in various spheres, and has stressed its support for the country in its quest to build a strong army to defend its homeland and to ensure stability and security in pursuit of an economic stability, the Lebanese hope that Aoun’s visit to Qatar would restore confidence in Lebanon as an investment and economic destination and as a tourist destination for GCC nationals.
The leadership, government and people of Qatar have been keen on supporting Lebanon by all means.
While, Lebanon stresses its keenness on sustaining, strengthening and building its deep-rooted relations with Qatar at all levels, Qatar appreciates the humanitarian role of Lebanon in hosting the displaced Syrians.
The State of Qatar stood by Lebanon in various crisis it experienced, most notably when Qatar made great efforts in bringing together the Lebanese people and rebuilding what was destroyed by the Israeli aggression against Lebanon in 2006, as well as the influential role of Qatar in resolving the Lebanese crisis through the Doha agreement, which upheld the Taif accord through the agreement reached by Lebanese factions in 2008, putting an end to a violent political crisis in Lebanon at the time.
Over decades, Qatar has been hosting Lebanese expatriates, who are working in various sectors such as trade, industry, engineering, construction, media, the arts, law, medicine, management, agriculture, tourism, restaurants, health, education, communications technology, and others, to contribute to Qatar’s economic growth.
The Qatari-Lebanese businessmen association also contributed to the consolidation of the relations and other joint frameworks between the two countries.
The State of Qatar has also made every effort possible to help the Lebanese community and facilitated the establishment of the school that has been serving their education since 1975, especially after the Lebanese community was unable to teach their children in Lebanon because of the war.
Aoun was elected President of the Republic of Lebanon on October 31, 2016. He is the 13th president after independence.
President Aoun will be in Doha following his visit to Saudi Arabia as part of his first tour after his election.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun.
