Beirut, April 15 (QNA) - The State of Qatar and the Republic of Lebanon have strong historical relations, constituting a distinguished model for bilateral Arab cooperation based on mutual respect and continuous support. Qatar has never hesitated to stand by Lebanon in its crises and tribulations through its political, economic, and humanitarian challenges, especially during crucial moments in its history.

Qatar's role has had a profound impact in supporting stability in Lebanon through diplomatic initiatives to calm the situation and promote dialogue, in addition to relief and development aid that has helped mitigate the repercussions of the crises the country has experienced.

This Qatari support is widely appreciated by both the public and the government, particularly given Qatar's unwavering commitment to supporting Lebanon's right to liberate its territories from Israeli occupation and defending its causes in international forums.

The Lebanese unanimously acknowledge the importance of Qatar's support for Lebanon through their famous phrase "Thank you, Qatar," which has helped mitigate the repercussions of the country's political, economic, and security crises and has had a significant impact on supporting reform and reconstruction efforts.

The Lebanese also emphasize the strength of relations between the two countries and the importance of strengthening them to serve common interests, particularly through reciprocal visits between officials from both countries.

In this context, the official visit of HE Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun to Doha takes on special significance, as it strengthens the bonds of cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

The State of Qatar has made significant contributions to supporting Lebanon during its critical political junctures. In May 2008, Doha hosted the Lebanese National Dialogue Conference with the participation of leaders of various political factions, culminating in the announcement of the Doha Agreement, which ended an 18-month political crisis that witnessed some bloody events.

This agreement paved the way for the election of Michel Suleiman, as president of the republic, a move that contributed to restoring political stability in the country at the time.

The State of Qatar also stood by Lebanon to resolve the presidential vacancy crisis, which began after the end of President Michel Aoun's term in October 2022 and continued until the election of President Joseph Aoun on Jan. 9, 2025.

Qatar played a prominent role in this process through its active participation in the work of the five-member committee concerned with the Lebanese file and the repeated visits made by a number of senior Qatari officials to Beirut as part of diplomatic efforts aimed at supporting consensus among the Lebanese parties and facilitating the process of electing a president.

The State of Qatar has been a prominent supporter of Lebanon at various levels, particularly during the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in Beirut in January 2019, where the presence of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani was a practical and solid translation of the principles of Qatari foreign policy and an embodiment of the ongoing support Qatar provides to Lebanon and its people.

This high-level presence reflected Doha's keenness on Arab solidarity and support for economic and social stability in Lebanon amid the complex challenges the country was facing at the time.

HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani also took a decisive stance during the recent Israeli aggression against Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. His Highness's continuous calls in all international forums to halt the aggression against Lebanon served as a loud voice demanding justice and fairness in the face of the occupation's violations.

In the context of these events, the State of Qatar played a pivotal role in mediating a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, reached on Nov. 27, 2024.

The State of Qatar also stood by Lebanon to support it economically, as it contributed significantly to enhancing Lebanon's ability to recover from the effects of the war and restore its economic and social stability, which reflects the firm positions of the State of Qatar in standing by Lebanon in difficult times, and an affirmation of Qatar's foreign policy, which always seeks to enhance economic cooperation and establish the foundations for sustainable development in the region.

The State of Qatar also stood by Lebanon during the recent Israeli aggression in 2024 by operating a humanitarian airlift that included medical and food support, delivering more than 150 tons of aid, including medical equipment and essential supplies.

In addition, the State of Qatar, through the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), has provided aid to Lebanon, including support for the Lebanese Army following the economic crisis that began in 2019 and fuel support for Karantina Hospital, helping it maintain essential services and rehabilitate the hospital following damage caused by the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

In December 2018, the Lebanese National Library was inaugurated in Beirut, with the State of Qatar funding a $25 million project to revitalize and revitalize it.

In June 2021, the State of Qatar, represented by the Qatar Fund for Development, and the Republic of Lebanon, represented by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, signed a memorandum of understanding to provide scholarships to four hundred students for five years to complete their education at the American University of Beirut, in cooperation with the Education Above All Foundation (EAA), which included Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian refugee students in Lebanon. 

In this context, MP in the Lebanese Parliament and member of the Change and Reform bloc, Mark Daou, noted in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) the distinguished relations between Lebanon and the State of Qatar, commending Qatar's support for Lebanon at all times.

Daou praised the State of Qatar's support for Lebanon and its continued support in the political, security, and economic fields, noting Qatar's supportive stances toward Lebanon in its issues and crises.

For his part, former Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour stressed, in a similar statement to QNA, the importance of the Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun's visit to Qatar, especially in light of Qatar's support for Lebanon on many occasions, including its role in reconstruction following the Israeli aggression on Lebanon in 2006, in addition to its supportive stances towards Lebanon.

He also stressed the importance of the visit, particularly in light of Israel's violations of Lebanon, its breach of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on November 27, and Israel's continued occupation of parts of southern Lebanon. The visit represents an opportunity to address these violations, given the State of Qatar's active role as a mediator.

Mansour noted the pivotal role played by the State of Qatar as an effective mediator in the context of the Israeli aggression against Gaza and Lebanon, stressing the importance of direct communication between Lebanon and Qatar to inform them of the details of Israeli violations and breaches, as well as the issue of withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories.

He also expressed Lebanon's aspiration for an effective Qatari role, in cooperation with friendly countries, to contribute to reconstruction efforts following the Israeli aggression against Lebanon in 2024.

Former Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said that the Lebanese president's visit to Qatar is his third visit abroad, following visits to Saudi Arabia and France. He added that the importance of this visit lies in the role the State of Qatar is playing in achieving peace and the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

In a statement regarding the Lebanese president's visit to Qatar, Lebanese researcher and journalist Daoud Rammal emphasized that the visit carries exceptional significance on more than one level, as it reflects the strength of the Lebanese-Qatari relationship, as well as confirming the pivotal role Doha plays in supporting the stability of Lebanon and its institutions.

He noted that President Aoun's visit to Qatar conveys a message of appreciation for its steadfast support for Lebanon during its most difficult times, both through its ongoing support for the Lebanese Army and its active participation in the Arab-International Quintet Committee, which played a pivotal role in pushing toward ending the presidential vacuum, facilitating internal Lebanese consensus, and completing the constitutional institutions by forming the first government of the presidency.

He added that this visit comes at a particularly critical time, both domestically and regionally, emphasizing that the humanitarian aspect of the relationship between the two countries is equally important. The State of Qatar is home to thousands of Lebanese citizens who, through their work in various institutions, contribute to supporting their families and strengthening the Lebanese economy, a fact that deserves the Lebanon's full appreciation.

Rammal stressed that this visit represents a promising start in the path of presidential diplomacy, opening new horizons for understanding and fruitful cooperation between Lebanon and the sisterly State of Qatar, based on shared interests and a clear vision for a better future for both countries.

For his part, Lebanese political analyst Dr. Raed Al Masry pointed to the depth of relations between Lebanon and the State of Qatar, emphasizing that Doha has always stood by Lebanon and its people, and that Qatar has never hesitated to provide support to Lebanon during its various political, economic, and security crises.

He added that President Aoun's visit to Doha is particularly important in terms of its timing, given the major transformations taking place in Lebanon and the region. He expressed the Lebanese people's gratitude to the State of Qatar for its noble stances and continuous efforts to consolidate stability and enhance security, and for its constant commitment to protecting Lebanon from any slippages that might threaten its future.

In a similar statement, Lebanese political analyst Asaad Bishara noted the depth of Lebanese-Qatari relations, which have been characterized throughout various stages by cooperation, friendship, and mutual trust between the two brotherly countries He praised the pivotal moments at which the State of Qatar stood by Lebanon, emphasizing that this visit reflects the strength of the relationship between Beirut and Doha. He also noted the vital role Qatar plays in shaping regional policies and its growing influence on a number of important international issues.

Bishara also valued Qatar's support for Lebanon in various fields, including reconstruction efforts and its contribution to reaching a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel last November, in addition to Doha's support for the necessary reforms Lebanon needs to emerge from its crises.

For his part, Lebanese political analyst Bechara Khairallah emphasized in a statement to QNA the depth of the historical relations between Lebanon and the State of Qatar, stressing that Qatar represents a friendly country that loves Lebanon and its people and has always stood by them in the most difficult circumstances.

He noted the prominent political role played by Doha in consolidating consensus among Lebanese forces, particularly through its hosting of the Lebanese National Dialogue Conference in 2008, which contributed to ending the presidential vacuum at the time. He emphasized that the Lebanese President's visit to Doha comes at a very important time and carries promising positive results for relations between the two brotherly countries. (QNA)