NNA - Caretaker Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam, met today in a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, in the presence of Lebanese Ambassador Farah Berri, in the capital, Doha.

Salam first thanked the Qatari state, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the government and the Qatari people for their generous hospitality and reception of the activities of the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum with the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Talks during the encounter touched on the outcome of the meetings of the five-year special committee for Lebanon, especially since Qatar playa a primary role, and is the active driver in the committee. Ways to support and facilitate its work to produce positive results that help Lebanon and restore its political cycle to its usual regularity were also reviewed.

Salam also thanked the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar for his “moral support to Lebanon by facilitating the travel of Qataris to visit Lebanon and enjoy their stay there, and supporting Qatari investors to invest in several sectors in our country, out of the belief of the Qatari people in Lebanon’s ability to emerge from its crisis as a result of the skills and creativity of the Lebanese.”

Both parties also discussed developments in the situation in the Middle East region and ways to calm and reduce escalation, especially putting an end to the Zionist aggression against the Gaza Strip and the ongoing aggression against Lebanon, in view of the role of the Qatari state as an effective supporter, especially since Sheikh Mohammed, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, is in charge of completing the negotiation processes regarding the Palestinian issue and stopping the aggression.

They also touched on the 33rd Arab Summit, scheduled to be held on May 16th in the Bahraini capital, Manama, where the eyes of the Arab street are pinned on the decisions that will emerge from the meeting of Arab leaders, in light of these tense conditions.

Salam and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed “the strength of the relationship between Lebanon and Qatar, its role in enhancing regional security and stability, and its lasting success in producing positive results in the files it undertakes.”

The meeting concluded by affirming that "Qatar's vision for peace in the region stems from peace in Palestine and Lebanon."

==========R.Sh.