In Beirut, Qatari minister reaffirms Doha's support for Lebanon

Qatari Education Minister Sheikha Loulwa bint Rachid al-Khater, visiting Beirut on Wednesday, stated that her country is "determined to cooperate" with Lebanon and support it following the devastating war between Hezbollah and Israel, as well as the unprecedented economic crisis the country has gone through since 2019.

Received by her Lebanese counterpart, Rima Karameh, the minister reiterated "Qatar's support for Lebanon, particularly in development and education at all levels." She expressed her desire to "cooperate and strengthen relations in the areas of education, university and research."

Asked about possible Qatari aid for the reconstruction of schools damaged during the war between Hezbollah and Israel, Sheikha Loulwa responded, "Qatar has always supported Lebanon and its people. There are currently discussions on several fronts. Reconstruction in Lebanon is a topic addressed at multiple levels, but I can assure you that we are determined to continue our work and cooperation."

According to the National News Agency (NNA), the two ministers discussed "ways to formalize cooperation through an agreement between the two ministries, focusing on the development of school programs and strengthening the Arabic language in education." They also discussed university exchanges, the possible participation of Lebanese teachers in Qatari schools and universities, and facilitating higher education for Qatari students in Lebanon.

At the national library

Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh also received the minister in his office at the National Library in Sanayeh. During this meeting, the two officials discussed avenues of cooperation between Lebanon and Qatar. 

"I have learned that Qatar is interested in helping Lebanon rebuild what was destroyed during the recent war. We will submit a complete dossier to our Qatari brothers on the damage sustained, in order to examine the possibility of support in this area," said Salameh.

Salameh expressed his pleasure in receiving the minister at the National Library, which he recalled had benefited twice from support from the State of Qatar: the first time for its complete restoration and the second after the Beirut port explosion in 2020. The minister also emphasized that they discussed "ways to strengthen relations between the two countries."

"I am very happy to be in my second country, Lebanon. As you know, relations between Qatar and Lebanon are historic and deep. We look forward to collaborating with Minister Salameh in several cultural and artistic fields," said the Qatari minister. She also mentioned efforts to promote the Arabic language in the Arab world and expressed her desire to welcome Salameh to Qatar to explore more joint projects.

On Wednesday, the Qatari minister was also received by the Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Sheikh Abdellatif Derian.

Doha has regularly positioned itself as a reliable partner of Lebanon, providing direct financial assistance, particularly to the Lebanese Army, and responding swiftly during crises, such as after the double explosion at the Beirut port.