Salam Praises Qatar’s Support as Both Countries Near Electricity Deal
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Lebanon would never forget Qatar’s support during the most difficult periods in the country’s history, as well as its efforts to promote stability.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the Grand Serail, Salam praised Qatar’s positions in support of an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and the extension of state authority across the country.
Salam said the two governments were close to reaching an agreement on a project to rehabilitate, develop and modernize Lebanon’s electricity generation infrastructure.
Under the proposed project, Qatar would finance, implement and operate the initiative without requiring any upfront costs from the Lebanese treasury, Salam said, describing this as particularly important given the country’s current circumstances. He added that the arrangement would help overcome obstacles to ensuring a reliable electricity supply.
“The aim is to increase production, reduce costs and improve management,” Salam said, stressing that a reliable electricity supply at a reasonable cost would help attract investment and strengthen the economy.
For his part, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani reaffirmed Doha’s support for the Lebanese people during what he described as a difficult period for the entire region. He said Qatar looked forward to further strengthening the partnership between the two countries across all sectors.
Al Thani described the Lebanese economy as one of the most important in the Arab world, highlighting the Lebanese people’s active role in economic life and their contribution to driving the regional economy.
He said the two sides had agreed to establish a comprehensive framework for cooperation in the energy sector and develop integrated solutions through a major investment project that would benefit both the Lebanese economy and the participating Qatari entities.
The Qatari prime minister also reaffirmed Doha’s continued support for the Lebanese Army as a national institution responsible for safeguarding the country’s security and stability.
On the security situation, Al Thani stressed the need for all parties to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, for Israel to withdraw from all occupied positions, and for all sides to abide by the agreements reached.
He added that Qatar was coordinating with the United States on efforts to rebuild southern Lebanon in a way that would enable displaced residents to return to their homes.
