President Joseph Aoun thanked Qatar for its continued support as Lebanon struggles through a period of acute political, economic and security strain, praising Doha’s role in supporting the country’s stability, security forces and reconstruction efforts.

Meeting Qatari Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi at Baabda Palace, Aoun said recent Qatari initiatives underscored the deepening ties between the two countries and reflected a partnership that had grown “more vital than ever.” He singled out Qatar’s support for the Lebanese Army, calling it a cornerstone of Lebanon’s security.

Aoun briefed the visiting minister on the country’s current situation, pointing to what he described as relative internal security stability and close coordination among the Lebanese Army and other security agencies to maintain calm amid mounting regional tensions. He also raised Israel’s continued strikes in southern Lebanon, which he said amounted to persistent violations of Lebanese sovereignty, and reaffirmed the army’s role in safeguarding areas south of the Litani River.

“Israel’s refusal to abide by the November 2024 ceasefire agreement and to implement U.N. Resolution 1701 is preventing the return of security and stability to the south,” Aoun said.

He added that Lebanon remained committed to dialogue, particularly through the ceasefire monitoring body known as the “Mechanism,” which is meant to facilitate Israeli withdrawal and address border incidents. Aoun said Beirut was seeking concrete outcomes from the committee’s next meeting, due next month, and called for greater international pressure on Israel to comply with U.N. resolutions, allow displaced residents to return home and enable the army to strengthen its deployment.

Aoun also touched on Lebanon’s ties with Syria, saying border conditions had improved and that talks were under way to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees. He welcomed Arab, and especially Qatari, support to help ease the refugee burden, stressing Lebanon’s commitment to regional cooperation.

For his part, Al-Khulaifi conveyed greetings from Qatar’s leadership and reaffirmed Doha’s “unwavering” support for Lebanon, saying the country remained a top priority in Qatar’s foreign policy. He underscored the importance of Lebanon’s participation in regional discussions and Qatar’s readiness to work closely with Beirut on political, economic and humanitarian fronts.

“We are committed to continued support for the Lebanese Army, which is a pillar of Lebanon’s security and stability,” Al-Khulaifi said after a separate meeting with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail. He added that Qatar would continue humanitarian assistance, including rebuilding infrastructure and expanding educational opportunities for Lebanese youth.

Qatar has pledged a series of major projects in Lebanon, including $40 million to support the electricity sector and a separate $360 million economic initiative aimed at boosting growth. Doha has also committed to rebuilding Karantina Hospital, which was badly damaged in the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

Al-Khulaifi said Qatar was backing the voluntary return of Syrian refugees, with plans to assist around 100,000 people, and was launching sports programs to promote development and peace among children and young people in conflict-affected areas.

He stressed that Qatar’s broader strategy focused on strengthening Lebanon’s institutions, particularly the army, to ensure national security and stability, and reaffirmed Doha’s support for efforts to implement U.N. Resolution 1701 and ease regional tensions.

The Qatari minister also condemned Israeli violations along the Lebanese border and urged the U.N. Security Council to take decisive action, saying Qatar’s support for Lebanon would remain open-ended and that additional initiatives would be announced later.

The visit included a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who thanked Qatar for its steadfast backing. Berri praised Doha’s role in supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty, reconstruction efforts and the defense of its territorial integrity.