Qatar's leader attends Arab economic summit in Beirut
Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Beirut on Sunday to attend an Arab economic summit, with internal divisions in Lebanese politics and regional divisions over Syria leading to poor attendance. The Qatari ruler, making his first visit to Lebanon, was received by Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Arab League head Ahmed Aboul Gheit at Beirut International Airport.
- World
- AP
- Published Date: 12:00 | 20 January 2019
- Modified Date: 03:01 | 20 January 2019
Qatar's ruler has arrived in Beirut to attend an Arab economic summit marred by divisions over readmitting Syria to the Arab League.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's government has been one of the main backers of Syrian insurgents trying to overthrow Bashar Assad.
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have reopened their embassies in Damascus, and the visit by Qatar's ruler is widely seen as a first step to restoring relations with Syria.
Sheikh Tamim and the president of Mauritania were the only heads of state from the 22-member Arab League who came to Beirut to attend Sunday's summit.
The other leaders' absence appeared to be a snub to Lebanon, where pro-Syrian groups led by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah had insisted that Assad should be invited.
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