Qatar to provide aid for Lebanese troops as crisis deepens | Al Jazeera

Qatar has said it will provide the Lebanese armed forces with 70 tonnes of food a month as Lebanon seeks assistance in the face of its worst economic and political crisis in decades.

Lebanon’s army chief Joseph Aoun had appealed to world powers last month, during a meeting organised by France, for assistance for soldiers, whose wages have plunged in value as the Lebanese pound has crashed and inflation has soared.

Qatar’s donation was announced on Tuesday during a visit to Beirut by Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

“The support comes within the framework of the State of Qatar’s constant endeavors to help resolve the political crisis in Lebanon, and its firm commitment to support the Republic of Lebanon and stand by the brotherly Lebanese people,” Qatar’s state news agency QNA reported.

Sheikh Mohammed urged Lebanese parties to form a new government “to achieve stability”, QNA added. Lebanese politicians have spent months wrangling without agreeing on a new government that is needed to unlock international aid.

In turn, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said his country welcomed “Qatar’s ongoing support”, according to a statement released by his office...