The Gulf country says it will donate 70 tons of food a month to Lebanon’s armed forces to help deal with the worst economic crisis in decades.
Qatar has said it will provide the Lebanese armed forces with 70 tonnes of food a month while Lebanon seeks help in the face of the worst economic and political crisis in decades.
The head of the Lebanese army, Joseph Aoun he had appealed to the world powers last month, during a meeting organized by France, to attend the soldiers, whose salaries have fallen in value as the Lebanese pound has crashed and inflation has soared.
Qatar’s donation was announced on Tuesday during a visit to Beirut by Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
“Support is part of the Qatari state’s ongoing efforts to help resolve the political crisis in Lebanon and its firm commitment to support the Republic of Lebanon and stand by the brotherly Lebanese people.” reported the state news agency Qatar.
Sheikh Mohammed urged Lebanese parties to form a new government “to achieve stability,” QNA added. Lebanese politicians have spent months fighting without agreeing on a new government needed to unblock international aid.
In turn, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said his country welcomed “Qatar’s continued support”, according to a statement issued by his office.
President Aoun met with Qatar’s foreign minister at Baabda palace and briefed him on Lebanon’s welcome to Qatar’s continued support and any Qatari steps to help resolve its current crises. pic.twitter.com/SUb94PGLT7
– Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) July 6, 2021
Translation: President Aoun met with Qatar’s Foreign Minister at Baabda Palace and expressed his gratitude to Lebanon for Qatar’s continued support and congratulated any step taken by Qatar to help resolve its current crises.
Lebanon’s cabinet resigned after a massive explosion in the port of Beirut in August last year and has since served as adviser, while the heavily indebted Arab country’s economic crisis has intensified. .
The World Bank has called the Lebanon crisis one of the worst depressions in modern history. The currency has lost more than 90% of its value against the US dollar since the economic crisis erupted in 2019 and more than half of the population has been driven into poverty.
Widespread anger over fuel shortages has turned into fights at gas stations, while incumbent Prime Minister Hassan Diab warned that Lebanon is just days away from a “social explosion”.
The country also said drug importers hundreds of essential medicines had been depleted and new shortages had been warned if the central bank with cash did not unblock funds.
Lebanon has long sought financial help from the Gulf in the past, but Sunni Muslim Muslim nations in the Gulf, such as Saudi Arabia, have become increasingly reluctant to help because of the growing influence of Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite group. supported by Iran.
Western and other international donors have demanded new government and key reforms before providing aid.
“The situation is critical,” Aoun, the army chief, had warned at last month’s meeting. “If not mitigated, the economic and financial crisis will inevitably lead to the collapse of all state institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF),” he added.
He described the army as “the only guarantor” of security and stability in Lebanon and the “most trusted institution nationally and globally.”
“Therefore, maintaining cohesion and supporting the LAF to carry out its mission are of paramount importance.”