Qatar will not hesitate to stand by the brotherly Republic of Lebanon, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi said at an international conference in support of the Lebanese people held on Wednesday at the level of heads of states and governments.
Underlining this in a speech via videoconferencing, Al-Muraikhi said Qatar had spared no effort at the official and people's level, and it was one of the first countries that rushed to respond to the fraternal and humanitarian duty to stand by the brotherly Lebanese people by providing them with an urgent aid of $50 million as a contribution to relief operations and alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people. Qatar also sent an equipped team from the Qatari International Search and Rescue Group to establish field hospitals, he added.
He also pointed out that Qatar Fund for Development recently signed several agreements with the concerned authorities in Lebanon for the reconstruction of the old building of the Karantina Hospital in Beirut, and the rehabilitation of many educational buildings, including 55 schools, education and training centres, and three universities, in addition to financial aid from the Qatari people.
"Today, Lebanon is facing difficult conditions, especially the humanitarian, social, economic and financial crises and the coronavirus pandemic," Al Muraikhi said whilst stressing on the need to reconstruct the areas affected by the Beirut explosion last August.
Al-Muraikhi hailed French efforts as well as all countries and international and regional organisations that provided assistance to Lebanon, calling on the international community to continue providing the necessary assistance so that the Lebanese could overcome this critical stage.
"Lebanon today, is in dire need of political and economic reform to ensure the stability and growth of its economy," he said. He felt this required all Lebanese factions to join hands in solidarity to achieve the supreme interest of the Lebanese people and strengthen state institutions to fulfill the aspirations of the Lebanese people for reconstruction and development.
The minister thanked French President Emmanuel Macron and Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres for their invitation to hold the conference, which comes in light of the continuing economic and political challenges facing Lebanon.
"There is no doubt that holding this important conference indicates the sincerity of the international community in helping Lebanon face these challenges," he noted, and expressed the hope that the conference would achieve its goals and meet the aspirations of the Lebanese people.
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