Lebanon President's official two day visit in Qatar

While Lebanon is suffering a very severe political crisis, President Michel Sleiman went to Doha on a two day official visit. The purpose of the visit, also according to official sources, was to attend the inauguration of the Ras Laffan new dry dock, alongside the Qatari Emir, Sheikh Hamad ben Khalifa Al Thani.

It was also an occasion for the two men to attend the inaugural ceremony of the new Lebanese embassy in Doha, located in the diplomatic zone, in the West Bay area.

Hours before President Michel Sleiman left Beirut on Monday night, the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad ben Jassem ben Jaber Al Thani arrived at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut where he held talks with Mr Sleiman. He then stayed in Beirut to meet several Lebanese politicians.

Political tensions are high in Lebanon right now, since Hezbollah indicated that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which is supposed to shed light on the assassination of ex-Lebanese Prime minister Rafic Hariri – is a “political court” and is instrumented by the United States and Israel to tackle Hezbollah.

Qatar had previously organised and led the interlebanese conference in may 2008. The Doha agreement led to the election of President Michel Sleiman and stopped the violence in the streets of Beirut. Hezbollah then took to the streets to protest against a decision taken by the government instigating 10 days of clashes.