Qatar PM in Beirut as Lebanon seeks economic relief: What to know
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani’s visit to Beirut coincides with the Lebanese authorities’ ongoing efforts to curb Hezbollah’s influence in the country.
BEIRUT — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met on Friday with Lebanese officials in Beirut, as Lebanon's economic woes deepen and is seeking Doha's help among other Gulf countries.
What happened: The Qatari top diplomat arrived in Beirut on Thursday evening for an official visit aimed at reaffirming Qatar’s backing for the Lebanese government’s efforts to extend state authority over weapons and the Lebanese territory, but also to discuss ways to support the country’s decades-old energy crisis.
The visit marks Sheikh Mohammed’s second visit to Beirut since Western-backed President Joseph Aoun took power in January 2025. He made another trip to Beirut in February 2025, as Lebanon sought to revitalize its ties with Gulf countries following years of strained relations over the growing influence of Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Sheikh Mohammed met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Friday. According to a Lebanese government statement, the two officials reviewed options to supply gas to Lebanon and projects to develop infrastructure for electricity generation.
