Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the headquarters of the Doha Forum in the Qatari capital, and the relations between Lebanon and Qatar were presented, in addition to the relationship between Lebanon and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Mikati also met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, and they discussed the Lebanese situation and Lebanese-Qatari relations.
press conference
After the two meetings, Mikati held a press conference in which he said: “Lebanon always needs such Arab sponsorship, and Qatar is on the side of Lebanon and, God willing, all the Arab countries and the Gulf states in particular, will restore their normal relations with Lebanon, and we need this Arab embrace of our homeland.”
In response to a question, he said: “It is only correct, and it is correct that Lebanon always has excellent relations with the Arab countries and the Gulf states. Lebanon should have a strong relationship, especially with the Arab countries, and it is one of the founders of the League of Arab States and is convinced and believes in these relations.”
He added: “What happened in the last period was a summer cloud that passed and, God willing, it will disappear with the visits I will make to the Arab countries, and with the restoration of diplomatic relations between Lebanon and the Gulf states to normal, and we need these relations, especially with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
He said, “During my meeting with His Highness Sheikh Tamim, I felt that he is fully aware of the problems in Lebanon and he is on his side, and he promised that in the coming weeks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will visit Beirut to personally see the needs that Lebanon demands.”
Regarding the government’s efforts to find a solution to the economic situation, he said: “The current economic situation in Lebanon is a collection of problems over the past thirty years, and this matter cannot be resolved overnight. The government is striving to restore recovery to the economy, and God willing, that will appear soon.”
On the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, he said: “The negotiations between Lebanon and the Fund are continuing, and next Tuesday, a mission headed by the President of the Fund will begin a visit to Lebanon to complete the negotiations, and we hope that following the new round of negotiations, which will last for two weeks, a preliminary agreement will be signed between Lebanon and the Fund.”
He added, “We have no choice but to cooperate with the International Monetary Fund, to put Lebanon on the path of recovery.”
Regarding the Doha Forum, he said: “After three years since the last forum, many things have changed and developed, and this meeting today is very good for exchanging ideas and setting a vision for the future. In the morning session of the conference, I was drawn to the focus on investing in education, and one of the most important issues raised is investing in future generations.”
He added, in response to a question: “We seek to restore the economic and financial recovery of Lebanon, and face educational challenges by resuming teaching in schools following disruption due to the Covid epidemic, in addition to launching a social safety net to distribute direct financial aid to the poorest families, and we are waiting for the signing of a preliminary agreement with the IMF.” International soon.
In response to a question, he said: “The global situation is going through difficulties that have been exacerbated by the war between Russia and Ukraine. The new challenge before us is related to food security and securing the needs of our people for the coming period.”
Jordan’s foreign minister
The Prime Minister received Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi at his residence, to discuss frameworks for strengthening cooperation relations between the two brotherly countries, regional developments and issues of common interest.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman
The Prime Minister received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, Badr bin Muhammad al-Busaidi, and discussed with him the relations between the two countries.
UNHCR
Mikati met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.
opening session
Mikati had participated in the opening session of the “Doha Forum”, which is being held in the Qatari capital over two days, entitled “Transformation into a New Era”.
Source: National Media Agency