Qatar announced its $60 million support for the Lebanese army, nearly a year following Doha announced monthly food support for the army.
The announcement coincides with a visit by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, to Lebanon.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the support comes within the framework of the State of Qatar’s firm commitment to support the Lebanese Republic, and to stand by the brotherly Lebanese people.
The State of Qatar announces a contribution of $60 million in support of the Lebanese Army#Qatari_Foreign Affairs pic.twitter.com/6uigrFYALr
– Qatari Foreign Ministry (@MofaQatar_AR) June 30, 2022
General Joseph Aoun, Commander of the Lebanese Army, during his reception of the Qatari Foreign Minister, expressed his thanks for the Qatari contribution, saying that it reflects Doha’s commitment “to Lebanon, its people and its army.”
The Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun expressed his thanks to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, for his generous gesture towards the Lebanese Army, by announcing his sister country to provide a financial contribution of $60 million to support the Lebanese Army.#Lebanese army #LebaneseArmyhttps://t.co/vZwvThWtGs
— Lebanese Army (@LebarmyOfficial) June 30, 2022
General Aoun confirmed that the Qatari support will be allocated to support the army.
Lebanon is suffering the worst economic crisis since the end of the civil war, which has caused the Lebanese currency to lose more than 90% of its value once morest the dollar, making the salaries of most soldiers less than $100 per month.
The army has stopped providing meat to its forces since 2020 to save money, and the following year it began offering to take tourist trips in its “helicopters” to raise money.
Many members of the military took additional jobs and some resigned in order to compensate for their low salaries, raising concerns regarding the future of the military establishment.
