Renewed Qatari role in Lebanon reportedly backed by KSA and US
Saudi Arabia has recently decided to change its stance over the Qatari role in Lebanon and this transformation is linked to an understanding with the U.S. over a Qatari role in supporting Lebanon financially and politically, a media report said.
The development is also related to the latest rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, especially that Abu Dhabi is “active in the Lebanese arena in a way opposed to the policies of Riyadh and Doha,” al-Akhbar newspaper reported.
“In this context, Saudi envoy Yazid bin Farhan, who visited Lebanon around two weeks ago, revealed to a host of politicians that an aid package would soon reach Lebanon and that there is a Saudi-Qatari agreement over this file,” the daily said.
Political sources meanwhile told the newspaper that “the Saudi stance stems from Riyadh’s fear of a possible chaos scenario in the Lebanese arena, which also explains its stance on the war on Iran and its support for Syria’s stability.”
Bin Farhan was also quoted as saying that “the role that Qatar will play is fully coordinated with Saudi Arabia and is in the service of the same strategy.”
The sources added that this agreement “supports authorities in Lebanon and encourages them to move forward in implementing the government’s plan in what relates to both the arms file and reforms.”
Qatar had on Monday announced investments in Lebanon worth hundreds of millions of dollars to improve the crisis-hit nation's crumbling electricity sector and to continue support for the Lebanese armed forces and the return home of Syrian refugees.
Qatar's minister of state for foreign affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, announced the investments by the Qatar Fund For Development after meeting Lebanese leaders in Beirut.
Lebanon has been improving relations with oil-rich gulf countries following years of tensions over the wide influence that Hezbollah had in the small nation. Hezbollah was weakened by a 14-month war with Israel, and the Iran-backed group recently called on Saudi Arabia to open a new era in relations.
For years, Qatar has been seen as a friendly country to Lebanon and a mediator for domestic and international political crises. Doha is also a key partner in the consortiums for Lebanon's offshore gas exploration blocks.
Lebanon since late 2019 has been in a historic fiscal crisis after decades of corruption and mismanagement by the country's ruling class.
Al-Khulaifi also said Qatar will continue it support to the Lebanese army, adding that the decision comes from Doha's belief "that this institution is the basis for security and stability in the country."
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