Beirut, June 18 (QNA) - HE President of the Republic of Lebanon Joseph Aoun received on Thursday a joint ministerial delegation from the State of Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the French Republic.

The visiting delegation included HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad; UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Baroness Jenny Chapman; and HE Minister Delegate for Francophony, International Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad, attached to the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Eleonore Caroit.

During the meeting, they reviewed the latest developments in Lebanon and reaffirmed their unwavering support for the country's sovereignty and stability, emphasizing the necessity of full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostilities agreement.

In a press statement, HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad affirmed Qatar's continued support for the Republic of Lebanon and its ongoing cooperation with international partners to aid.

Highlighting the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two nations, Her Excellency noted that this joint trilateral ministerial visit embodies a shared commitment to continuous coordination between Qatar, the United Kingdom, France, and Lebanon within the framework of international cooperation to support Lebanese stability, recovery, humanitarian, and developmental efforts.

Her Excellency explained that Qatar's position rests on two main pillars: reaffirming its absolute support for Lebanon while rejecting any violation of its sovereignty and security, and firmly encouraging the path of diplomacy and peace.

HE the Minister of State for International Cooperation added that Qatar's support for Lebanon extends beyond the political sphere to encompass vital economic and developmental assistance.

She pointed out that the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has provided humanitarian and development aid totaling approximately $434 million, benefiting more than 1.5 million people. 

This is in addition to an emergency humanitarian aid package dispatched last April to assist nearly one million people displaced from their homes due to recent events.

Her Excellency stressed the critical significance of international cooperation at this juncture, highlighting the need to leverage international partnerships to serve communities and preserve human dignity.

This approach, she noted, aligns with the directives of Qatar's wise leadership, which advocates for investing in people to achieve lasting peace.

She concluded by emphasizing that investing in education and healthcare within fragile zones is an act of preventive diplomacy that addresses root causes, such as poverty, ignorance, and youth marginalization, before they escalate into armed conflict or extremism, rather than delaying action until a crisis erupts. (QNA)