Lebanese Prime minister Tammam Salam stated upon emerging out of a meeting with prince Tamim Ibn Hamad today that the purpose of his trip to Doha is to seek Qatari leaders’ assistance in kidnapped soldiers’ file.
Lebanese Prime minister Tammam Salam stated upon emerging out of a meeting with prince Tamim Ibn Hamad today that the purpose of his trip to Doha is to fathom bilateral brotherly ties while seeking Qatari leaders' assistance in kidnapped soldiers' file.
Thanking the Qataris heartily for their assistance offered to Lebanon along the years, the prime minister added that the Amir felt so happy to such an extent that he expressed desire for visiting Beirut and we are more than glad to host him.
"Given our endured worries at hand, the prince expressed willingness to help us cope with the burden of Syrians displaced into Lebanon as well as resolving the hostage taking of soldiers by terrorists," Salam went on.
"He brought to the Emir's attention the plight of the families of kidnapped soldiers saying their safe return and wellbeing burdens us all. Therefore, let's remain united on this issue," he exclaimed.
"Hopefully, the Turkish president's arrival in Doha would unfold on a happy ending for the kidnapped soldiers," Salam said.
"General Abbas Ibrahim is in charge of this crucial file on day-to-day basis," Salam concluded.
Salam Calls on Lebanese Parties to Cool down Tensions
Prime Minister Tammam Salam on Sunday had urged all Lebanese parties to work on calming the street and reducing tensions.
In an informal talk with the press aboard the plane en route to Qatar, Salam said that the military hostages' case was closely followed by all officials, noting that he needed the contribution of all to bring the matter to fruition, including Qatar, which has experience in this area.
Salam, in this context, stressed the importance of relations between Lebanon and Qatar, which helped Lebanon several times in the past and will continue to do so.
Refusing to reveal information about the demands of the kidnappers, the Prime Minister said that the Lebanese will hardly be able to confront the terrorists while weak and divided. He added that the most important factor in this confrontation lay in unity at the government level, law enforcement and the media.
In his turn, Minister of the Interior, Nohad Machnouk, who was also part of the Lebanese delegation heading to Qatar, stressed that Lebanon was affected by its geographical location close to the scene of conflict in Iraq and Syria. In his words, Qatar could play an important role in this context because of its relations with the West and the Islamic movements.
The Director General of the General Security, Abbas Ibrahim, said he had traveled to Turkey in the last days, not Qatar. He explained that this country held mediation in the case of military hostages, noting that the kidnappers had requested unacceptable conditions.
He estimated that some international decision might be favorable to the implosion of the situation in Lebanon, saying, however, that no Lebanese party had the intent to cause such an implosion.
