Lebanese-Qatari Bilateral Meeting to Discuss Gas Supplies and Joint Agreements

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The visit served to strengthen fraternal solidarity relations between the State of Qatar and the Lebanese Republic.

The two sides exchanged views on ways to stop the war in the region and in Lebanon, and affirmed respect for the sovereignty of the two sister countries. President Salam thanked Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman's state for "Qatar's support for Lebanon in its pursuit of Israeli withdrawal and establishing state control over all its territories." Salam expressed "Lebanon's gratitude for the continuous aid provided by Qatar to the Lebanese Army and for a number of health and social projects."

The talks between the two sides addressed providing gas supplies and developing infrastructure for electricity production. The two parties discussed preparations for an agreement between the governments of the two countries that would launch works aimed at comprehensively addressing the energy problem in Lebanon.

The two sides renewed their confidence in the strength and permanence of Lebanese-Qatari relations.

Subsequently, an expanded meeting was held in the presence of members of the Lebanese and Qatari delegations. The Lebanese delegation included Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, Minister of Culture Ghassan Salamé, Minister of Energy and Water Joe Saddi, Minister of State for Administrative Development Fadi Makki, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Judge Mahmoud Makieh, Head of the Council for Development and Reconstruction Mohammad Ali Qabbani, and a number of advisors.

The Qatari delegation included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Lebanon Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Director of the Office of the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Abdullah bin Abdul Suleiti, and a number of advisors.

A lunch banquet followed the expanded meeting.