Qatar will provide the Lebanese army with around 70 tons of food supplies monthly, as Lebanon seeks assistance to tackle its worst economic and political crisis since the civil war from 1975 to 1990, according to Qatari state news agency. Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun appealed to global powers during a meeting in France last month to aid soldiers whose salaries have plummeted due to the collapse of the Lebanese pound and rising inflation.
Qatar announced the aid to Lebanon on Tuesday during a visit to Beirut by Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. No details were provided about the mentioned food aid. The agency reported that the minister urged Lebanese factions to form a new government to "establish stability" in the country. For months, Lebanese politicians have failed to agree on forming a crucial government that would pave the way for international aid.
The government resigned following the massive explosion that devastated the Port of Beirut in August of last year, but it has been functioning in a caretaker capacity since then as the economic crisis worsens in the debt-ridden country. The Lebanese pound has lost 90 percent of its value against the dollar since the onset of the crisis in 2019. In the past, Lebanon has turned to the Gulf for financial assistance, but countries in the region have become increasingly hesitant to provide aid due to the growing influence of Iran-backed Hezbollah in the country. Western and international donors have demanded the formation of a new government and significant reforms before providing assistance.
