The Talks
The Closed-Door Session
Meeting of the Lebanese& Qatari Delegations
The Inauguration of the Lebanese School
The Independence Ceremony
Meeting the Lebanese community
Fares Evaluates his Visit to Qatar: Discussions Touched Upon A Series of Vital Projects Between Lebanon& Qatar


In November 2004, H.E Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Issam Fares accompanied H.E. the President of the Republic Mr. Emile Lahoud in the frame of a two-day presidential visit to Qatar.
The Talks
The Lebanese-Qatari talks were held in the morning at the Diwan which was reached by the Lebanese President and Emir’s Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifah Al Thani after they had inaugurated, in presence of the members of both delegations, the new headquarters of the Lebanese school in Doha and laid together the cornerstone of the new building of the Lebanese Embassy in Doha. The talks were held in the office of Qatar’s Emir and were attended by H.E. Mr. Issam Fares from the Lebanese delegation.

The Closed-Door SessionFollowing the enlarged talks, Fares attended the one-hour closed-door session during which President Lahoud and Sheikh Hamad exposed the general situation prevailing in the region in light of the latest developments.



Meeting of the Lebanese& Qatari DelegationsWhile the closed-door session was being held between President Lahoud and Emir’s Qatar, a meeting was held between the Lebanese and the Qatari delegations at the Office of the Qatari Foreign Minister. The Lebanese delegation was represented by Mr. Fares while the Qatari delegation was represented by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa el-Thani. During the reunion, joint issues of mutual interest between both countries were tackled. Mr. Fares raised the economic situation and Lebanon’s dire need for oil derivatives. Discussions also revolved around cooperation in the banking sector and the investment projects Qatar is willing to carry out in Lebanon.
The Inauguration of the Lebanese SchoolFares and the accompanying delegation attended the inauguration ceremony of the new headquarters of the Lebanese school in Doha which was inaugurated by the Lebanese President and Prince Hamad. At the end of the ceremony, President Lahoud and Prince Hamad headed to the place where the new Lebanese Embassy will be erected in Doha. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Issam Fares and the members of the Lebanese and Qatari delegations, as well as the Lebanese community members in Doha.


The Independence CeremonyMr. Fares also took part in the Independence ceremony held at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha to commemorate the 61rst anniversary of the country’s independence, upon an invitation from the Lebanese community council in Doha.
Meeting the Lebanese communityMr. Fares had also met, along with the Lebanese President, members of the Lebanese community at the hotel. The meeting provided an occasion to examine their conditions, needs, and job opportunities in Qatar and to answer their questions about Lebanon and the latest developments it is experiencing.

Later, Fares attended with his Qatari counterpart Mr. Nasser Abdullah al-Attiyah the luncheon banquet held by Sheikh Hamad and Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned in honor of the Lebanese delegation. Following the family luncheon, Fares moved with the Lebanese President and delegation to Doha Airport, wrapping up a two-day visit to Beirut.

Fares Evaluates his Visit to Qatar: Discussions Touched Upon A Series of Vital Projects Between Lebanon& Qatar
Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares declared that the Lebanese-Qatari ministerial committee, announced in a Cabinet session, will activate its work, especially that the Lebanese President and His Highness Emir’s Qatar and the members of both delegations have underscored their willingness to put in place in the foreseeable future a series of vital projects of mutual interest to initiate their implementation.

Mr. Fares revealed that the official talks in Qatar have raised scores of investment projects, among which figures a huge investment, commercial, and real estate project in one of the tourist areas that shall provide 4500 job opportunities.

Fares also pointed out that discussions seriously tackled the gas import from Qatar. He also remarked that the Qatari leadership has showed particular interest in promoting cooperation in Lebanon and encouraging the Lebanese to work and invest in Qatar. He announced that he shall provide job opportunities in all of Qatar’s state institutions, including the security services. Fares also unveiled the willingness of the Qatari Emir to establish security cooperation with Lebanon, mainly in the exchange of experience among the security institutions.

Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares made clear that the Lebanese stance regarding the UN Resolution 1559 had been raised up during the official talks, and that the Lebanese President has explained the Lebanese State’s opinion about this Resolution, renewing Lebanon’s respect for all the resolutions of international legitimacy.