The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Mohammad bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, receiving the French envoy for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, on January 28, 2026. Photo released by the official agency QNA.
Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, welcomed the French President’s special envoy for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, in Doha, the official QNA news agency reported Wednesday. During the meeting, the Qatari minister stressed that "Lebanon's stability is a key pillar of the region's stability."
The discussions focused on cooperation between the two countries as well as "the latest developments in Lebanon." On the occasion, the Qatari foreign minister called on all parties to respect Security Council Resolution 1701 and "the full sovereignty of the Lebanese Republic over all its territory."
He also reiterated Doha’s condemnation of "Israeli attacks against Lebanese territory," saying the Security Council must "assume its responsibilities to put an end to these violations."
Despite the truce concluded in November 2024 that was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah, Israel continues to regularly carry out strikes on Lebanese territory.
In early January, the Lebanese Army announced it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah, covering the area south of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the Israeli border. Israel deems the Lebanese Army’s progress insufficient, while the Shiite party has rejected calls to hand over its weapons.
Abdulrahman al-Thani also highlighted "the central role of the Quintet group [United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar] in supporting Lebanon," adding that Qatar would continue its coordination with its partners in support of the country’s sovereignty, territorial unity and recovery efforts.
Also on Wednesday, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed French Ambassador Herve Magro, with whom he discussed preparations for the upcoming conference in support of the army and security forces, scheduled for March 5, according to the Grand Serail’s X account.
Last Thursday in Davos, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot met with the Qatari prime minister as well as his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan. In both cases, the officials agreed to continue coordination for the international conference in support of the Lebanese armed forces, reaffirming the need to strengthen the army and the state monopoly on weapons.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s development fund announced Monday that the emirate would unlock more than $430 million for Lebanon, specifically to revitalize its ailing energy sector.
Qatar already helps fund the Lebanese Army and, in April, renewed its $60 million grant to pay military salaries. Qatar's minister of state for foreign affairs, Mohammad bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, during a visit to the Lebanese capital on Monday, said that "the emirate’s aid to Lebanon will have no limits" and that improvements in the country’s situation encourage its leaders to grow their cooperation and multiply projects.
He also announced that Doha would finance the repatriation of around 100,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
