The Public Works Minister, Fayez Rasamny, received in his office on Tuesday Qatari Ambassador to Lebanon, Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani. (Credit: NNA.)
BEIRUT — The Works Ministry received a valuable grant from Qatar on Tuesday, including an advanced set of communication systems and air navigation equipment to support Beirut airport's operations as well as large number of public transportation buses for the Traffic Management Authority, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
The Public Works Minister, Fayez Rasamny, received in his office on Tuesday Qatari Ambassador to Lebanon, Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani, who handed him an official letter from the Qatari Transport Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Thani, which includes a valuable grant for the Lebanese Public Works Ministry.
The move comes as a follow-up to the bilateral talks Rasamany held during his visit to Doha in April, where he participated in the Air Transport Facilitation Conference organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and met with the Qatari minister in an official meeting, during which they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the fields of transportation and air navigation.
According to NNA, the grant includes an "advanced set of communication systems and air navigation equipment to support Rafik Hariri International Airport's operations and enhance navigation safety and security."
It also covers a large number of public transportation buses for the Traffic Management Authority, in support of the government's efforts to develop public transportation infrastructure and ease the burdens of the aviation and land transport sectors.
Rasamani expressed his “deep thanks to the leadership and people of the State of Qatar for this generous support,” and valued Doha's “permanent commitment to Lebanon and its solidarity in the face of challenges." The minister stressed that “this grant will contribute to raising the level of services and enhancing the capabilities of the public transport and aviation sectors, within the framework of the ministry's plan to upgrade facilities and enhance operational efficiency.”
For his part, the Qatari ambassador reiterated “his country's commitment to support Lebanon and its people, based on the directives of the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and out of keenness to strengthen the fraternal relations between the two countries.”
During a visit to the emirate in April, Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun stated that he had asked Qatar "to increase its investments in Lebanon. In May, Qatar launched an aid program for the poorest families in Lebanon affected by the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel.
Qatar has long positioned itself as a reliable partner for Lebanon, becoming one of the main supporters of the Lebanese Army and offering rapid financial aid during times of crisis, including following the twin explosions at the Port of Beirut on Aug. 4, 2020.