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MTV Lebanon
4 days ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Qatar, Lebanon affirm solidarity, discuss cooperation and regional stability during Salam's official visit to Doha
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam arrived in Doha on an official visit to the State of Qatar, accompanied by a ministerial delegation that included Minister of Culture Ghassan Salameh, Minister of Energy and Water Joe Saddi, Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, and Minister of State for Administrative Development Fadi Makki. The delegation was received at the Amiri Diwan by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, where an expanded meeting was held, followed by a bilateral discussion between His Highness and the Lebanese Prime Minister. At the outset of the meeting, Salam expressed Lebanon's full solidarity with Qatar and its firm condemnation of the recent Iranian attack on Al Udeid Air Base, describing it as a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty, airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter. Moreover, PM Salam reaffirmed Lebanon's categorical rejection of any aggression that undermines the security and stability of Qatar and the region. The two leaders welcomed the recent cessation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, emphasizing the importance of this development in restoring calm across the region, particularly in Lebanon, Palestine, and the Gulf. Prime Minister Salam also conveyed his deep appreciation to His Highness the Amir and to the Qatari government and people for their continued support of Lebanon, particularly in light of the challenges facing the region. For his part, His Highness the Amir expressed gratitude for Lebanon's solidarity and reiterated Qatar's unwavering support for the Lebanese Republic and its people, stressing the shared aspiration for peace, development, and prosperity. A subsequent expanded meeting was held with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, attended by several ministers from both sides. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and opening new avenues for cooperation, especially in the energy sector, through short- and medium-term implementation plans. Talks also addressed collaboration in public works and transport, administrative development, and cultural affairs. The meeting also tackled continued Qatari support to the Lebanese Armed Forces, the need for intensified international and regional efforts to halt ongoing Israeli violations against Lebanon, and the importance of Israel's full withdrawal from Lebanese occupied territories. Both sides stressed the necessity of reconstruction and reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to exercising full sovereignty across its territory, alongside advancing its national reform agenda. On the issue of Syrian refugees, both sides discussed practical frameworks to ensure a safe and dignified return, with Qatar expressing full readiness to support and assist these efforts in coordination with the relevant authorities. The visit comes as part of efforts to reinforce Arab cooperation and to reaffirm the depth of historical ties between Qatar and Lebanon, as well as the joint commitment to stability and development in the region. Following the meetings, a joint press conference was held by Prime Minister Salam and his Qatari counterpart. Prime Minister Salam praised Qatar's hospitality and leadership amid recent regional tensions, stating: 'We were proud to be the first delegation to land in Doha after the aggression, and we renew our support to Qatar against any form of attack. We also thank Qatar for its continued support to Lebanon, politically, economically, and in particular, through its sustained support to the Lebanese Army and various development projects.' Salam added: 'Today's discussions laid the groundwork for further cooperation, especially in the energy sector. We agreed to continue consultations with the aim of reaching an executive understanding regarding Qatar's contribution to Lebanon's energy needs, whether through the construction of a power plant or the supply of natural gas. We also hope to see renewed visits from our Qatari brothers to Lebanon this summer, and we look forward to a promising tourist season.' The Prime Minister also briefed the Qatari leadership on Lebanon's reform track, efforts to restructure the civil administration on the basis of transparency and merit, and legislative initiatives related to judicial independence and investment climate improvement. Salam also stressed: 'There can be no genuine stability in Lebanon without the full Israeli withdrawal from the five occupied points on Lebanese territory. As in all my prior engagements with the Qatari leadership, I renewed our request for support on this issue within the broader international community.' On regional affairs, Prime Minister Salam reiterated Lebanon's position: 'We continue to condemn the Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran as a violation of its sovereignty and international law. We are pleased that Qatar's mediation efforts helped end hostilities, and we hope this paves the way for a return to diplomacy. This is not only Lebanon's position—it reflects a unified Arab stance, which Qatar also upholds.' Prime Minister Salam concluded by extending renewed gratitude to His Highness the Amir, the Qatari government, and the people of Qatar for their unwavering support. During the Q&A session, Salam reiterated Lebanon's commitment to the principle of asserting state authority over all its territory through its own sovereign institutions, as stipulated in the Taif Agreement and the government's ministerial statement. He confirmed Lebanon's continued diplomatic efforts to rally Arab and international support to compel Israel to respect the ceasefire agreement signed in November and to withdraw from all Lebanese territories still under occupation. In response to a question regarding Hezbollah's involvement in regional conflicts, Prime Minister Salam noted: 'In the past two weeks, we have collectively succeeded in preventing Lebanon from being drawn into a new regional war. Now, with military operations halted, we hope to usher in a new phase of diplomacy, as expressed by Qatar.' Regarding external pressure on Israel to withdraw, Salam stressed: 'Our strategy relies on mobilizing every possible political and diplomatic avenue—starting with our Arab brothers and extending to key international actors, including permanent members of the UN Security Council and the United States.' Prime Minister Salam also renewed his invitation to his Qatari counterpart to visit Lebanon, expressing hope that such a visit would mark a turning point in regional stability. To this, the Qatari Prime Minister replied: 'The Prime Minister promised me two visits—one to Tripoli and one to the South.' Salam responded, 'That was meant to be a surprise. But yes, we are looking forward to welcoming him in Lebanon very soon.'
MTV Lebanon
16-06-2025
- Business
- MTV Lebanon
First Romanian flight brings stranded Lebanese home from Sharm El-Sheikh
The first Romanian flight carrying Lebanese nationals stranded in Sharm El-Sheikh landed this morning at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport. The passengers had been unable to return home due to regional airspace closures following the recent escalation between Israel and Iran, which disrupted commercial flight operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, under the guidance and coordination of Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, intervened promptly. In coordination with the relevant airline and the local tour operator, the airline submitted an urgent request to operate repatriation flights. The directorate granted preliminary approvals and instructed the company to proceed with the necessary arrangements. Additional similar flights are expected to arrive throughout the day as part of the effort to ensure the safe return of all affected Lebanese travelers.
MTV Lebanon
15-06-2025
- MTV Lebanon
Civil Aviation: Transfer of Lebanese stranded in Sharm El-Sheikh to begin tomorrow morning
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a statement saying: "Based on the directives of the Minister of Public Works and Transport, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation followed up on the situation of the Lebanese citizens stranded in Sharm El-Sheikh with the concerned airline and the travel agency in Lebanon. The airline promptly submitted a request to the directorate to approve the transport of the Lebanese citizens via a Romanian airline and to establish a timetable for their return to Lebanon starting tomorrow morning. The necessary preliminary approvals were granted, and the company was asked to begin the required procedures to ensure their return to Lebanon as soon as possible."
The Star
15-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
New ‘Lane Xang' train to meet passenger demand
VIENTIANE: The fifth 'Lane Xang' electric multiple unit train arrived in Laos on June 13 to cater to the growing demand for passenger services on the Laos-China Railway. As of May 30, 2025, the railway had transported 1,660,000 passengers, a nine per cent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Laos-China Railway Co Ltd. The fifth 'Lane Xang' train arrives in Laos on June 13 to support rising passenger numbers on the Laos-China Railway. The new train is part of the CR200J series and will increase the railway's capacity, especially during major festivals and the tourist season. The Laos-China Railway Company said the additional train will boost operating efficiency and service quality. It is expected to ease the demand for tickets and allow passengers to plan trips further in advance. Tickets can currently be booked only four days ahead of the date of travel. The fifth Lane Xang train also marks another step forward in Laos's goal to modernise its transport infrastructure and strengthen cross-border links with neighbouring countries. Designed to suit the Lao climate and terrain, the train includes business class, first class and second class seating, as well as facilities for passengers with disabilities. It can carry up to 632 passengers. The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr Ngampasong Muangmany, said the new train will improve travel options and support Laos's development as a regional hub for transport and trade. The train's red, blue and white exterior reflects the colours of the Lao national flag, in line with the design of earlier Lane Xang trains. The Laos-China Railway has become a key route for international transport, enhancing connectivity within Laos and the region while supporting tourism, trade and investment. The railway began operations in December 2021. By June 2025, the line had carried a total of 9.65 million passengers, Over more than two years of cross-border operations, the railway has carried 530,000 cross-border travellers, making travel between Laos, China and other nations more accessible. The freight service has transported more than 13.91 million tonnes of goods, linking Laos with China and other countries in the region. - Vientiane Times/ANN
Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Lebanon will keep its airspace open, minister says
FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises, following an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, after the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for the area, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon, June 5, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo Lebanon will keep its airspace open, minister says BEIRUT - Lebanon will aim to keep its airspace open, a minister said on Saturday, hours after officials said the airspace would be shut down in the evening amid Iran-Israel conflict. "The airport will remain open unless something emerges beyond our control," Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny said while touring in Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. The Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanese national carrier, will increase its flights to compensate the delayed flights, Rasamny said. Earlier, state news agency NNA cited the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority as saying the country would temporarily reopen its airspace on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. (0700 GMT), and it would be shut down again from 10:30 p.m. till 6:00 a.m. on Sunday. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
