(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: Qatar affirmed that it will not hesitate to continue its efforts to stand by the brotherly Republic of Lebanon.

This came in the speech of the State of Qatar, delivered by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi via videoconferencing at the international conference in support of the Lebanese people, which was held Wednesday at the level of heads of states and governments.

The Minister stressed in his speech that the State of Qatar has spared no effort at the official and popular levels and was one of the first countries that rushed to respond to the fraternal and humanitarian duty to stand by the brotherly Lebanese people by providing them with urgent relief aid of $50 million as a contribution to relief operations and to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people. Qatar also sent an equipped team from the

Qatari International Search and Rescue Group to establish field hospitals.

He pointed out that Qatar Fund for Development recently signed several agreements with the concerned authorities in Lebanon for the reconstruction of the old building of the Karantina Hospital in Beirut, and the rehabilitation of many educational buildings, including 55 schools, education and training centers, and three universities, in addition to financial aids from the Qatari people.

Today, Lebanon is facing difficult conditions especially the humanitarian, social, economic and financial crises and the Coronavirus pandemic, Al Muraikhi said, stressing the need to reconstruct the areas affected by the explosion of Beirut's port in August.

The Minister hailed the efforts of the Republic of France, as well as all countries and international and regional organizations that provided assistance to the brothers in Lebanon, calling on the international community to continue providing the necessary assistance to Lebanon so that the Lebanese people could overcome this critical stage.

Lebanon today is in dire need of political and economic reform to ensure the stability and growth of its economy, he said, pointing out that this requires all Lebanese factions to join hands and solidarity to achieve the supreme interest of the Lebanese people and strengthen state institutions to fulfill the aspirations of the Lebanese people for reconstruction and development.

The Minister thanked President of the Republic of France Emmanuel Macron and Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres for their invitation to hold this important conference, which comes in light of the continuing economic and political challenges facing brotherly Lebanon.

There is no doubt that holding this important conference indicates the sincerity of the international community in helping the Republic of Lebanon to face these challenges, he noted, expressing hopes that the conference would achieve its goals and meet the aspirations of the Lebanese people.

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