Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani denied on Tuesday that Qatar had launched an initiative for talks among Lebanon’s rival leaders in Doha.
“The Lebanese are welcome at any time, but there is currently no initiative to invite the parties to reach a solution in Doha. We hope that the solution will emerge from Beirut as soon as possible,” the Qatari FM said after a meeting with President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace.
The minister arrived in Beirut on a solidarity visit with Lebanon, his second since August.
He met on Tuesday with Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab for talks on ways to promote bilateral relations.
The Qatari Minister said the formation of the government was an internal matter.
“Qatar urges and encourages the parties in Lebanon to give priority to the national interest … to reach an agreement on the formation of a government and political stability,” he said.
Asked about Qatari financial aid, he said: "Under our policy, we only provide financial help through economic projects... that will make a difference to the country's economy.”
But "this demands there be an independent government to work with," he said at a press conference after meeting Lebanon's president.
According to a study released by the United Nations Social and Economic Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), more than 2.7 million Lebanese live under the poverty line.
