President Michel Aoun left Beirut this morning, heading to Qatar at the invitation of its Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to participate in the opening of the Arab Football Cup-FIFA 2021.
Aoun will discuss with Sheikh Tamim ways to strengthen and develop bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries in all fields, in addition to working to activate the Lebanese-Qatari Joint Higher Committee.
The Lebanese officials accompanying the delegation include Minister of Energy and Water Walid Fayyad, former Minister Pierre Raffoul, and Director General of Public Security Major General Abbas Ibrahim.
Fayyad will discuss energy affairs with Qatari officials and the possibility of drawing on their expertise in the field of exploration and extraction of gas and oil.
The presidential visit to Qatar comes amid the most difficult economic, political, and diplomatic circumstances challenging Lebanon.
According to sources, President Aoun said in a statement: “Qatar’s visit is an expression of the depth of friendship and strength of the relationship between the two countries, and its standing on the side of Lebanon after the explosion of the port is appreciated and thanked.”
LBCI News Lebanon
During his meeting with the Qatari Emir, the Lebanese President stressed that an extension of his presidency is out of the question and that he will continue to assume his full responsibilities until the end of his term, October 31st, 2022.
He also expressed his keenness on the principle of separation of power and non-interference in the work of the judiciary. He explained that he did not even see the satellite images provided by Russia and had forwarded them directly to the Judiciary.
In terms of investment at the Port, the Lebanese president will invite the Qatari Emir to invest in the reconstruction of the port of Beirut, in electricity and infrastructure, in addition to employment.
“We are working through the government to develop an integrated economic plan, based on the principle of negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF),” he indicated.
On the situation of electricity, he pointed out that government negligence “has brought us to where we are today, and if the plan developed in 2010 had been adhered to, we would have been spared this crisis.”
On Australia’s inclusion of Hezbollah on the terrorist list, he said: “Hezbollah is almost besieged, and this external blockage could generate an internal explosion if it goes beyond the limit, which could lead to a start of a civil war.”
President Aoun will be attending the opening of the Arab Cup football tournament after his meeting with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
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