Aoun receives Egyptian, Qatari ambassadors, Doha reaffirms its support for Lebanon’s stability

BEIRUT — Qatar’s ambassador to Lebanon, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, on Thursday reaffirmed to President Joseph Aoun, during a visit to the presidential palace in Baabda, his country’s "continued support" for Lebanon, and "commitment to its stability, as well as its support for the Lebanese government and de-escalation measures," according to the Lebanese presidency on X. He also reiterated Qatar’s commitment to "providing aid in line with the program established for this purpose."

Meanwhile, Aoun also received Egypt’s ambassador to Beirut, Alaa Moussa, with whom he discussed recent developments in Lebanon and the region, particularly the Lebanese-Israeli negotiations taking place in Washington, as well as Lebanon’s position and bilateral relations, the presidency said on X. These negotiations, held under U.S. mediation, bring together Lebanese and Israeli government delegations and aim to reach a "comprehensive peace and security agreement."

Qatar and Egypt are part of the "five -nation group" on Lebanon, alongside the United States, France and Saudi Arabia. The group coordinates international diplomatic efforts to support Lebanese state institutions and advance political solutions, including ending institutional paralysis and implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.

Gulf states have also taken a unified stance calling for de-escalation across the Middle East, in particularly the Israeli war in Lebanon. At the height of the regional escalation, in March, Iran targeted energy infrastructure in several oil-rich Gulf countries and disrupted shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil flows.

Following the 2024 war, Doha pledged $480 million for development and reconstruction projects, including in heavily destroyed villages in southern Lebanon, such as Kfar Kila and Aita al-Shaab. Qatar also remains one of the main financial supporters of the Lebanese Armed Forces, providing millions of dollars in fuel to support its operations and continues to fund monthly salary supplements including $100 allowances, to help soldiers cope with Lebanon's severe economic crisis.