Qatar's Prime Minister calls for total withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon

O qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, reaffirmed today, during an official visit to Beirut, Doha's support for Lebanon's sovereignty and complained about Israel's total withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

At a joint press conference with Nawaf Salam, Lebanese Prime Minister Abdulrahman reaffirmed the country’s “firm support” for Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and stability, demanding “the total withdrawal” of Israel from the occupied territories and compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

The Prime Minister qatari reiterated Doha’s support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, “recognizing them as a national institution that safeguards the security and stability of the country,” Lebanon’s National News Agency (ANN) reported.

Abdulrahman also highlighted Doha’s “continuation of efforts” in coordination with the United States to support the Lebanese Army and contribute to the reconstruction of the south of the country, facilitating the return of displaced persons.

For his part, Nawaf Salam thanked the Persian Gulf country for the “unwavering support” of Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability.

The Lebanese Prime Minister also acknowledged Qatar’s efforts “to achieve the total withdrawal of Israel from the occupied Lebanese territories and the extension of the authority of the Lebanese State to the whole of its territory”.

During the visit, Abdulrahman also met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, with whom he addressed developments at regional and international level, “in particular what is happening in southern Lebanon and the actions of the Israeli occupation”.

Qatari told him that Qatar “supports the measures taken by the Lebanese State, as well as the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation Army from the occupied territories and its transfer to the Lebanese Armed Forces.”.

Thursday, Aoun asked the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to press Israel to stop attacks on southern Lebanon, while the negotiations between the two countries, mediated by Washington, remain paralyzed.

In a statement, the Lebanese Presidency indicated that Aoun received a telephone call from Rubio, “during which they addressed the general situation in Lebanon and the region in the light of recent events”.

The statements arise in a context of deadlock in the negotiations on the framework agreement reached in June between Lebanon and Israel, mediated by the United States, for which a date has not yet been set for the next negotiating round.

The framework agreement aims to establish the basis for a “lasting peace and security” with a view to ending the war. The roadmap provides for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, being replaced by the Lebanese Army.

However, on the ground, Israel continues to attack southern Lebanon, claiming the presence of bases of the Shia Hezbollah movement, supported by Iran.

The Israeli offensive against Lebanon began on March 2, after Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel following the war in Iran on February 28. Since then more than 4,300 people have died, according to the Lebanese authorities.