Qatar pledges ongoing aid to strengthen Lebanon's military stability

On Monday, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, assured the Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Army, General Joseph Aoun, that Qatar would "continue its support for the Lebanese army to enable it to maintain the country’s security and stability."

General Aoun, who is currently visiting Qatar, emphasized the importance of this support, especially "in the context of the delicate circumstances Lebanon is going through." Lebanon has been grappling with a severe economic crisis that has drastically depreciated the Lebanese pound.

The average salary of a Lebanese soldier has now dropped to less than $100 per month, a stark decline from the $800 monthly average before the crisis began. To help mitigate this crisis, the Lebanese military has been receiving periodic assistance from several countries.

Throughout 2023, Qatar provided significant cash assistance, disbursing monthly payments of one hundred dollars to Lebanese soldiers, totaling $60 million for the year. In addition to the cash aid, during the second half of 2023, Qatar also supplied the Lebanese military with fuel and tens of tons of food supplies.