(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Adviser to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Majed bin Mohamed al-Ansari affirmed Tuesday that Doha's hosting of the Second Quintet Meeting on Lebanon comes within Doha's keenness to improve the political and economic situation in Lebanon, and permanently stand by the brotherly Lebanese people in all junctures they have passed, stressing that such a support will remain persistent in the upcoming period.
During the media brief held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr al-Ansari pointed out that such a meeting came by virtue of the efforts and communications made by the Qatari officials with their Lebanese counterparts and the numerous shared visits and meetings with stakeholders, noting that the Qatari support to Lebanon has been continuing since the very founding of the relations between the two countries, emphasising that this support will not stop.
He distinguished between the humanitarian aid and economic aid that Lebanon needs today, which requires the presence of a president and a government with a candid political mandate.
He pointed out that Qatar had contributed to supporting the Lebanese army with $60mn during the past years, and 70 tonnes of foodstuffs, per month, for one year from July 2021 to July 2022, in addition to the support Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) had provided to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health in 2022, as His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani pledged to support Lebanon with $50mn in 2020 in the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion.
Dr al-Ansari stressed that the meeting of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the US and France represents a vital opportunity to elucidate how International consensus on Lebanon is made, especially that such nations constitute pillars in handling the Lebanese policy, and subsequently the nations' officials wanted to affirm that there is a consensus on handling the Lebanese crisis, as they pledge to continue supporting Lebanon upon its exit from its current constitutional crisis.
He outlined that, as a result of the second meeting, a first joint statement has been issued that calls for the solution to this crisis to be purely Lebanese and shall be made through consensus, while the role of the international community is the affirmative pressure in order for the Lebanese parties to achieve the people's aspirations, followed by the economic reforms required by Lebanon in conformity with its international obligations. He pointed out that the gathered nations indicated that the continuation of support to Lebanon hinges upon election of the president and selection of the government.
Dr. Majed Al Ansari outlined that the joint statement conveyed a general warning message to Lebanese parties to never hamper these efforts due to their direct impact on Lebanon's future, prosperity, and stability, emphasizing the persistent support for Lebanon once a consensus is attained. However, the statement did not specify a deadline to carry out these reforms, such as electing a president and forming a government, because the situation is still complex.
Regarding the situation in Sudan, Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the State of Qatar's welcome to the final statement of Sudan's Neighboring Countries Summit that was convened in Cairo, considering it a vital step within the regional and international endeavors aimed at stopping the fighting there through dialogue and peaceful means. He added that the State of Qatar supported the summit's outcomes through a statement, along with all international and regional efforts to end the combat situation there, expressing its hope for reaching a comprehensive agreement and permanent peace that achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese people to stability, development, and prosperity.
Advisor to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari discussed the activity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the past week the chief of which are the meetings of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Dr. Ayman Al-Safadi, French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu, the French Presidential Envoy for Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian, in addition to His Excellency's meeting with the National Security Advisor in the US of America Jake Sullivan, the Chairman of US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Senator Bob Menendez, as well as Qatar's participation in the third meeting between GCC states and Russia, the urgent debate of the 53rd session of Human Rights Council in Geneva on countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.
He also highlighted that the Political Consultation Committee between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and Egypt held its second meeting in Doha, as well as the signing of a joint statement between the State of Qatar and the Republic of the Marshall Islands to establish diplomatic relations.
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