Qatar gives $60 million to Lebanese army in time of need

Qatar has donated $60 million to the Lebanese army, hard hit by the Mediterranean nation's unprecedented economic meltdown, Qatar News Agency reported.

The announcement came shortly after Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrived in Beirut, where he is expected to meet senior Lebanese officials.

Lebanon's nearly three-year crisis has put unprecedented pressure on the U.S.-backed army's operational abilities, wiping out soldiers' salaries and wrecking morale. The overall deterioration puts at risk one of the few forces unifying Lebanon — the military. Over the past years, the army has been receiving assistance, including food supplies, from friendly countries.

Al Thani, who is also Qatar's deputy prime minister, is in Lebanon to attend the Arab Foreign Ministers Consultative Meeting, the report said.

Since the crisis erupted in October 2019, the Lebanese pound has lost more than 90% of its value, tens of thousands have become jobless and three quarters of the population of 6 million, including 1 million Syrian refugees, now lives in poverty.

The economic crisis is rooted in decades of corruption and mismanagement by the ruling class, which has been running the country since the end of the 1975-90 civil war.

The report said Qatar announced in July last year that the Gulf Arab sheikhdom would support the Lebanese army with 70 tons of food every month for a year.

Source: Naharnet.com

 

The Liberum

Vox Populi, Vox Dei
See full bio >
The Liberum runs on your donation. Fight with us for a free society.
Donation Form (#6)

More articles you might like

UAE seeks to build on Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s Election as it lifts all bans

The United Arab Emirates announced on Thursday that it will lift a travel ban on […]

Flourishing from Within: Why Inner Development is Our Collective Compass

In a world that constantly pushes us outward, toward ambition, performance and productivity, what often […]

My Worst Day Ever in Lebanon

Lebanon, you have done it again. You’ve managed to throw me into a situation I […]

Systematic killings of Alawites in Syria illustrate the Lack of Accountability of the Transitional Government

Alarming reports of deliberate and premeditated mass executions in western Syria have surfaced for weeks, […]

Wobbly legs, sandpaper and love

I never thought I’d fall for furniture restoration. I’m not talking about a “sip and […]
- - by Emad Aysha on 05/04/2025

Lebanon’s leading environmental NGO SWIM launches: Operation Come Dive in Lebanon

Since childhood, I’ve been mesmerised by the mysteries of the underwater world. I could sit […]