A Lebanese Army patrol in Tripoli. (Credit: AFP/Archives)
BEIRUT — The Qatar Fund For Development announced Wednesday that it will "provide the Lebanese Army with fuel for six months."
According to the state-run Qatar News Agency (QNA), the Qatar Fund for Development will supply Lebanon's army with fuel worth $30 million. QNA added that the agreement comes "within the framework of Qatar's commitment to Lebanon's institutions and to stand by the Lebanese people."
In a statement, the Lebanese Army confirmed it will receive this aid "in the framework of Qatar's support to the continuity of the army in the current context of crisis."
Army Commander-in-Chief Joseph Aoun, quoted in the army's statement "thanked Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani for this generous gift."
Aoun also expressed gratitude for the "different kinds of aids" provided by Qatar "to the military personnel, and especially the financial aid provided lately."
Doha has also provided cash assistance to Lebanese soldiers over the past year, amounting to $60 million.
A source in the Lebanese Army confirmed to L'Orient-Le Jour that the fuel will arrive "within a month."
The source offered a reminder that Gen. Aoun sent a "cry for help" regarding the army's fuel crisis experienced on Aug. 21, during a visit of a parliamentary delegation.
"The army is suffering from crises to the extent that it only has a month's supply of petrol. If it is not replaced, this means that after one month, the army will not be able to carry out patrols," Aoun said at the time.
The Lebanese Army regularly receives financial aid from several countries, most notably the US, Qatar, Italy, France and Turkey.
The Qatar Fund For Development previously provided support to Lebanon's Ministry of Health by covering the expenses of diesel for several health facilities in Lebanon.
Qatar is a member of the so-called Group of Five on Lebanon, which also includes France, the US, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. This group is trying to find a solution to Lebanon's ongoing presidential vacuum. Several reports suggest that Qatar supports Lebanese Army Gen. Joseph Aoun for the presidency.