Aoun, Qatar Emir Discuss Cooperation, Abducted Soldiers

Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamid al-Thani discussed on Wednesday ways of cooperation between Beirut and Doha.

Aoun and the accompanying 8-minister delegation landed in Doha on Wednesday on the second stop of a tour of several Gulf countries.

Aoun’s two-day official visit to Doha follows an invitation from the emir.

Upon his arrival, the president directly met with Sheikh Tamim, who vowed to follow up on the case of the nine abducted Lebanese soldiers.

Nine soldiers have been held captive since ISIL Takfiri group along with Jabhat Fatah al-Sham – previously known as the Nusra Front – briefly overran the northeast border town of Arsal in August 2014.

More than 30 soldiers and policemen were initially captured but most were released. Some were killed in captivity, however, and nine army personnel are still being held by ISIL.

The Emir has expressed optimism over the election of Aoun as Lebanon’s 13th president, describing it as “the best choice.”

He hoped that Aoun’s visit would pave the way for forthcoming trips between the two countries’ officials.

Aoun urged strong bilateral ties between Qatar and Lebanon, inviting the Emir to visit Lebanon.

The meeting addressed means to promote bilateral ties between the two countries.