World
Qatar to Fund Large Solar Project in Lebanon, PM Discusses Energy and Security Issues
Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, announced plans to establish a “massive” solar plant in Lebanon during his visit to Beirut on Friday. He met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and said the two leaders had agreed to set up a comprehensive framework for cooperation in the energy sector and to present viable solutions.
QatarEnergy has signed an agreement with French company TotalEnergies to jointly develop a solar power plant in Lebanon as the initial project. The goal is to create a major investment that would benefit the Lebanese economy as well as the Qatari companies and entities involved, Sheikh Mohammed added.
Prime Minister Salam said he would bring the plans for Lebanon’s electricity sector to the cabinet soon. He noted that the Qatari side would fund, implement and activate the project without any cost to the Lebanese state, a move he said was important given the country’s financial crisis.
Lebanon’s state electricity company has long been a major source of debt, reportedly hemorrhaging about $40 billion over the past decades due to a bloated workforce and outdated infrastructure. The company provides only a few hours of electricity a day, and the state had previously taken advances from the Central Bank when diesel fuel ran out.
Sheikh Mohammed said Doha stands in “solidarity with the Lebanese people” and the entire region “in this dire hour.” Lebanon has been grappling with multiple energy crises in recent years, compounded by its financial collapse and ongoing Israeli attacks.
Earlier that day, the Qatari prime minister met Lebanon’s president and parliament speaker. The discussions included the situation in southern Lebanon, where Israel continues its assault, capturing dozens of towns and villages. Sheikh Mohammed said “Israeli violations within the Lebanese territories” were a large part of his talks. He called for Israel to withdraw from Lebanon and cease its attacks, and said Qatar is working with the United States to lay the groundwork for future reconstruction in southern Lebanon to allow displaced people to return.
Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon have continued despite a ceasefire agreed in June. Under the US‑brokered agreement, the Lebanese government is to disarm Iran‑backed Hezbollah, and in return Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from occupied areas. Hezbollah has refused to disarm until Israel withdraws. Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks have killed more than 4,300 people in the country since March, and about 1.2 million people were displaced at the height of the war. Although most have returned home since the June ceasefire, more than 300,000 people remain displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Prime Minister Salam thanked Qatar for its “continuous” support during some of Lebanon’s “darkest hours.”