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Qatari Minister Holds Meetings in Lebanon amid International Action to Help Address Crisis

The head of the Marada Movement, former Minister Sleiman Franjieh, received Al-Khulaifi and his accompanying delegation on Tuesday. (Franjieh’s Twitter account)
The head of the Marada Movement, former Minister Sleiman Franjieh, received Al-Khulaifi and his accompanying delegation on Tuesday. (Franjieh’s Twitter account)
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Qatari Minister Holds Meetings in Lebanon amid International Action to Help Address Crisis

The head of the Marada Movement, former Minister Sleiman Franjieh, received Al-Khulaifi and his accompanying delegation on Tuesday. (Franjieh’s Twitter account)
The head of the Marada Movement, former Minister Sleiman Franjieh, received Al-Khulaifi and his accompanying delegation on Tuesday. (Franjieh’s Twitter account)

International action to help Lebanon overcome its crisis have recently come to the fore, especially the quintet meeting that recently brought together representatives of the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar in Paris.

In parallel, Qatar’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, continued to hold meetings with Lebanese officials within the framework of an exploratory tour that started on Monday.

The Qatari diplomat stressed the need to maintain support for the Lebanese military institution to enable it to carry out its tasks in preserving Lebanon’s security.

A statement issued by the Lebanese Army Command said that Al-Khulaifi met with the Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, with whom he discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the region.

As part of his meetings on Tuesday, the Qatari minister met with the head of the Lebanese Forces party, Samir Geagea, in Maarab, the day after his talks, on Monday evening, with the head of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), Walid Jumblatt.

Also on Tuesday, the head of the Marada Movement, former Minister Sleiman Franjieh, met with Al-Khulaifi and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of the Qatari Ambassador to Lebanon, Ibrahim Al-Sahlawi, MP Tony Franjieh, and former Minister Roni Araiji. Discussions touched on the general situation and the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.

In a related context, former Minister Nehme Tohme highlighted in a statement the “Arab and international role aimed at rescuing Lebanon from its crises and setbacks, and pushing the concerned political forces to elect a president for the republic to end the presidential vacuum.”

Pointing to the role of Saudi Arabia, Tohme said: “Here is the Kingdom today, maintaining its role to help our country, not to mention the economic support it provided, which had a positive impact in fortifying the Lebanese economy for many years, accompanied by its embrace of the largest Lebanese community that enjoys all appreciation and respect…”

“Saudi Arabia remains the main axis in this movement that is taking place today, whether in the quintet meeting or through its role and presence at the regional and international levels, thanks to the wisdom of the Saudi leadership and the clear vision of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman,” he added.

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New Opportunity for Gaza Truce with Egyptian ‘Compromise’ Proposal

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdellaty meets with a delegation from the Palestinian Fatah movement in Cairo. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdellaty meets with a delegation from the Palestinian Fatah movement in Cairo. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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New Opportunity for Gaza Truce with Egyptian ‘Compromise’ Proposal

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdellaty meets with a delegation from the Palestinian Fatah movement in Cairo. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdellaty meets with a delegation from the Palestinian Fatah movement in Cairo. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egypt has come forward with a new proposal to the stalled ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, offering a potential path to de-escalation as Israel’s military campaign intensifies for a third consecutive week following the collapse of the previous truce.

This marks Egypt’s fourth ceasefire initiative in under a month. According to Israeli media, the new proposal aims to "bridge the gaps" between previous plans—Egyptian, American, and Israeli—that failed to gain consensus.

Experts told Asharq Al-Awsat the effort may offer a renewed opportunity for calm ahead of the Jewish Passover holiday, which begins on April 20, especially in light of an upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where Washington may exert pressure for a compromise.

On Saturday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdellaty held talks with a high-level Palestinian delegation from Fatah, headed by Central Committee Secretary Jibril Rajoub. The meeting, which included National Council head Rawhi Fattouh and former Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, focused on "the dangerous Israeli escalation and Egypt’s efforts to restore a ceasefire and expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid," according to a statement from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry.

While Abdellaty did not disclose details of the latest proposal, Israel’s public broadcaster reported on Friday that Egypt had submitted a new plan aimed at resolving disputes over the ceasefire and prisoner exchange. The proposal reportedly lies somewhere between previous terms—namely, the release of five live Israeli captives proposed by mediators, and Israel’s demand for the return of 11 hostages alive from Gaza.

Negotiations to reinstate the truce, which collapsed on March 18 after nearly two months, have floundered in recent weeks. Among the key proposals was a US plan floated by Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, on March 13, which sought a ceasefire lasting until April 20 and included the release of 10 hostages. Hamas, however, only agreed to release dual national Idan Alexander.

Days later, Egypt proposed that Hamas release five live hostages, including one American-Israeli citizen, in exchange for Israel permitting humanitarian aid into Gaza, a week-long pause in fighting, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners—according to the Associated Press.

On March 29, Israel presented its own revised plan, coordinated with the US, offering a 40-to-50-day truce in exchange for the return of roughly half of the 24 hostages believed to still be alive, and the remains of about half of the 35 believed dead.

Dr. Ahmed Fouad Anwar, a member of Egypt’s Council for Foreign Affairs and an expert on Israeli affairs, described Egypt’s latest initiative as "a new chance to bridge gaps and revive talks." He added that the plan may offer a "middle ground that could satisfy both parties," but its success hinges on American pressure on Israel.

Palestinian political analyst Dr. Husam al-Dajani echoed this view, describing the proposal as a step toward ending the crisis. "Any plan that halts the genocide will be accepted by the Palestinian resistance," he said, though he warned that Netanyahu remains the main obstacle. "Ending the war is not his priority, and he may stall or set new conditions."

Three Israeli officials told Axios on Saturday that Netanyahu is expected to visit the White House on Monday to meet with Trump. The president had hinted days earlier that Netanyahu would soon visit Washington and reiterated his commitment to resolving "the Gaza problem," following talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi last week.

On Saturday, Sisi also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, stressing the "urgent need to restore calm through an immediate ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian aid delivery," according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.

Meanwhile, Witkoff is set to travel to the region this week. According to Axios, he is scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who leads Israel’s negotiation team. Witkoff may also visit Doha or Cairo, depending on developments in the talks over a Gaza deal.