Lebanese President: We Reaffirm Our Solidarity with GCC Brotherly Nations

Beirut, October 16 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated on Friday his country’s solidarity, at both the leadership and popular levels, with the brotherly Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, and condemned the attacks targeting GCC countries, most recently those against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Lebanese presidency said in a statement that this came during President Aoun’s reception of Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, during which they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries and reviewed the latest regional developments. Lebanese Foreign Minister and Minister of Expatriates Youssef Raji, Qatari State Minister Dr. Mohammed Al Khalifa, and the Qatari ambassador to Lebanon, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman, were present. The statement noted that President Aoun expressed his welcome for cooperation between Lebanon and Qatar in various fields, particularly in the energy sector, “in which Qatar had previously expressed its readiness to help find solutions to the electricity crisis afflicting Lebanon.” He also addressed the ongoing attacks by the Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon and their resulting casualties, injuries, and destruction of villages and towns in the occupied southern areas. In this regard, President Aoun expressed his hope that Qatar would continue its efforts with sister Arab countries and friendly nations to pressure the Israeli occupation to halt its attacks in the south and implement the framework agreement reached as a result of negotiations mediated by the United States. He affirmed that “the Lebanese people will not forget what Qatar has provided and continues to provide to the Lebanese people during the difficult circumstances they have endured,” considering the Qatari Prime Minister’s visit “a new message of hope to the Lebanese, expressing Qatar’s love and support for Lebanon.” (End) A.Y.B. / A.M.S.