BEIRUT — Qatar's support for Lebanon, particularly the Lebanese Army, is on full display as President Joseph Aoun arrives in Doha on the invitation of its emir.

"Qatar has not hesitated to support Lebanon during the various circumstances it has encountered, nor has it hesitated to coordinate with other brotherly and friendly countries to multiply efforts to save it, especially when crises worsened," Aoun told the Qatar News Agency (QNA).

Qatar has confirmed to Lebanon its intention to "consolidate Lebanese institutions and the [Lebanese] army through financial and humanitarian aid," said Aoun, who is expected to meet Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on Wednesday.

Aoun has said that his visit will focus on the role that Qatar can play to "help Lebanon emerge from the quagmire in which it has been for a long time." This emergence, Aoun argued, can be achieved through "strengthening the authority of the state and army across the entire national territory, and restoring trust in Lebanon’s relations with countries around the world."

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Doha has regularly positioned itself as a reliable partner for Lebanon, providing direct financial aid, notably to the Lebanese Army, and reacting promptly in times of crisis, such as after the massive nuclear-level double explosion at the Beirut Port.

Foreign Minister Joe Rajji accompanied Aoun to Qatar, where the two were joined by the Lebanese ambassador to Qatar, Farah Berri.

Qatar’s support

Aoun indicated that Qatari support should continue, "especially if we succeed in accomplishing what is required of us in terms of development and reforms, developing financial, economic, and reconstruction plans and implementing them in a way that inspires trust in donors and investors, while working on security and military stability to impose Lebanese sovereignty over the entire territory and establishing the monopoly of arms by the army and official security forces."

He also listed areas where Lebanon could best benefit from Qatar's expertise, particularly in the energy and gas sector. Aoun called for "the recovery of the financial sector by encouraging Qatari investments in Lebanon and banking cooperation; the development of the tourism sector by promoting tourist exchanges and encouraging Qataris to visit Lebanon; and cooperation in the infrastructure and reconstruction sector."

Qatari Minister of Education Sheikha Loulwa bint Rashid Al-Khater visited Beirut last week, where she stated that her country was "determined to cooperate" with Lebanon and to support it after Israel's devastating bombing campaign across the country's south and east in its war with Hezbollah late last year.