Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani arrived on Wednesday in Beirut accompanied by several officials , where he was received by Prime Minister Saad Hariri at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport.
The Lebanese Forces issued a statement on Wednesday that its leader, Samir Geagea, met with Qatari Prime Minister and other Qatari officials.
The statement added that following the meeting, Geagea said the participants discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and added that he briefed the Qatari PM on the domestic situation in Lebanon and the work of the cabinet.
The LF leader also said that his country can only face Israeli threats if the Lebanese people unite and the cabinet is made the only body authorized to decide on strategic defense issues.
Following the meeting, Geagea and the Qatari PM met privately for 30-minutes, the statement added.
The Lebanese-Qatari Commission then met at the Grand Serail and signed thirteen agreements and memoranda of understanding, according to a statement issued by Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s press office. Hariri and his Qatari counterpart headed their countries’ delegations.
The statement listed the agreements and memoranda of understanding as follows:
1) An agreement to encourage and secure the exchange of Lebanese-Qatari investments.
2) An agreement of cooperation in the security field.
3) An agreement regarding the Lebanese working in Qatar.
4) An agreement regarding the judiciary field.
5) A memorandum of understanding for agricultural cooperation.
6) An agreement on an educational program.
7) An agreement on the cultural and artistic fields.
8) An agreement for youth cooperation from 2010-2012.
9) A memorandum of understanding on media cooperation.
10) An agreement for Qatari and Lebanese official news agency to exchange information.
11) A memorandum of understanding for touristic cooperation.
12) A memorandum of understanding for exchanging financial information.
13) An agreement to establish a common council for businessmen.
Following the signing of agreements Prime Minister Hariri held a joint-press conference with his Qatari counterpart and said both countries are working to enhance bilateral relations.
“I am sure that agreements that have been signed [will] open new horizons in the fields of finance, tourism, justice, media, agriculture and others,” Hariri said
“We call on Qatari investors to invest in Lebanon,” Hariri added , voicing the importance both countries attach to the private sectors in enhancing relations.
Hariri also thanked Qatar for its efforts to support Lebanon following the 2006 July Wars, its participation in UNIFIL, and its role in facilitating the 2008 Doha accord.
“Egypt has its own laws and jurisdictions,” he said, referring to a question about the ruling earlier in the day in Cairo that sentenced 26 defendants found guilty of working for Hezbollah to attempt sabotage in Egypt.
The PM also questioned the progress of the Middle East peace process since the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference. If Israel wants to achieve peace, then it knows what it must do, he said.
Hariri added that regional stability can be reached with a just peace agreement that honors the Palestinian right of return.
The PM also said that an important meeting will be held on Saturday following several foreign states’ discussions on the peace process, he said, without elaborating further.
Sheikh Hamad, in turn, said that his country’s emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, is working to enhance Lebanese-Qatari ties.
He also said that Lebanese leaders have proved their capability of managing their country’s affairs, despite doubts to the contrary.
The Qatari PM also said that Israel’s Scud missile accusations are unjustified. “The region needs stability. Lebanon is a stable country, and we would work to maintain its stability,” he added.
Qatari PM said Sheikh Hamad, in turn, said that his country’s emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, is working to enhance Lebanese-Qatari ties.
He also said that Lebanese leaders have proved their capability of managing their country’s affairs, despite doubts to the contrary.
Sheikh Hamad, in turn, said that his country’s emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, is working to enhance Lebanese-Qatari ties.
He also said that Lebanese leaders have proved their capability of managing their country’s affairs, despite doubts to the contrary
The Qatari PM said that Israel’s Scud missile accusations are unjustified. “The region needs stability. Lebanon is a stable country, and we would work to maintain its stability,” he added.
Sheikh Hamad also said that Qatari officials contacted US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell to discuss the Middle East peace process, adding that his country desires a written peace agreement.
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