(MENAFN) Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed his gratitude to Qatar for their contributions in helping Lebanon through its political and economic crises during a meeting with the Gulf state's Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi. Mikati also emphasized the strong ties between the two states during the talks with the visiting Qatari envoy.

Qatar has been supporting the Lebanese army and enabling it to carry out its responsibilities, for which Mikati thanked them. The visit of the Qatari official is part of the French-Arab-American effort to find solutions to the presidential vacuum in Lebanon, which has been ongoing for six months now. The Lebanese Parliament has held 11 failed voting sessions, and the crisis has yet to be resolved.

Meanwhile, the Free Patriotic Movement, Lebanese Forces, Lebanese Kataeb, and the Progressive Socialist Party are rejecting the candidate put forward by Hezbollah and its allies, MP Suleiman Frangieh. These groups have been advocating for a neutral candidate, but so far, no consensus has been reached.

In talks with Al-Khulaifi, Mikati discussed the situation in Lebanon and efforts by the caretaker government to tackle emergency cases as permitted by the constitution, his media office said. He added that the solution to the crises affecting Lebanon lies in electing a president as soon as possible.

The meeting between Mikati and Al-Khulaifi also highlighted the strong relations between the two countries. Qatar has been a significant supporter of Lebanon, providing aid and assistance to help the country mitigate the impact of the crises it is facing. The Qatari envoy's visit is a testament to the continued commitment of Qatar to support Lebanon amidst its ongoing challenges.

Al-Khulaifi also met with other Lebanese officials, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, and the head of the Kataeb Party, MP Sami Gemayel. The meetings were aimed at discussing the situation in Lebanon and exploring ways to address the country's challenges.

The ongoing crises in Lebanon, including the economic crisis, political instability, and the COVID-19 pandemic, have had a severe impact on the country and its people. The support of Qatar and other countries is crucial in helping Lebanon overcome these challenges and move towards a stable and prosperous future.

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