Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut on Friday that the Israeli army should withdraw from the Lebanese territories it occupies and hand those areas over to the Lebanese army.
Al Thani said the meeting assessed ways to implement joint projects that would contribute to the security, stability and prosperity of the region. He said Qatar supports the measures taken by Lebanon and stressed that his country would continue supporting Lebanon.
Qatar supports Lebanon’s energy sector
Al Thani said Qatar aims to offer comprehensive solutions for Lebanon’s energy sector and called for previously agreed joint projects between the two countries to be implemented.
Describing Lebanon’s energy sector as one of Qatar’s main priorities, Al Thani said he would discuss activating projects previously agreed between Doha and Beirut during a later meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Al Thani and Aoun also discussed regional and international developments, particularly the situation in southern Lebanon and Israel’s occupation of Lebanese territory.
Lebanon seeks continued international presence in the south
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji said Lebanon was determined to ensure that an international force continues to operate in southern Lebanon after UNIFIL’s mandate expires at the end of the year.
Rajji made the remarks during a meeting with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. UNIFIL Commander Diodato Abagnara and his accompanying delegation also attended the meeting.
According to a statement from the Lebanese Foreign Ministry, the sides discussed how the international presence in southern Lebanon would be shaped after UNIFIL’s current mandate ends, as well as the situation in the area. Rajji said he appreciated the sacrifices of United Nations peacekeepers who contribute to maintaining security and stability.
Lacroix said preparations were needed for the next phase of the United Nations presence in Lebanon. He said the United Nations Security Council would soon begin negotiations on the issue and stated that the United Nations was committed to playing a constructive role in the coming period while fully respecting Lebanon’s position.
The sides agreed to intensify efforts to overcome obstacles and maintain an international presence under the United Nations flag in southern Lebanon.
Contacts continue over UNIFIL’s future
Lacroix, who began his visit to Lebanon on Wednesday, held a series of meetings with Lebanese officials to discuss UNIFIL’s future and the possibility of extending its mandate. No information was provided on the duration of the visit.
Lacroix met with Lebanese President Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and army commander General Rodolphe Haykal.
The Council of the European Union also decided on Monday to establish a new support mission in Lebanon. The mission is initially planned to operate for three years and is expected to strengthen the capacity of the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces while supporting the country’s sovereignty and stability.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said during her visit to Lebanon on October 7-8 that a security vacuum should not emerge in the south after UNIFIL’s mandate expires.
UNIFIL, which operates in southern Lebanon under United Nations Security Council resolutions, monitors the cessation of hostilities and supports the deployment of the Lebanese army in its area of operations.
As UNIFIL’s current mandate nears its end, international consultations continue on how the United Nations presence in southern Lebanon will be shaped in the coming period.
