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QNA
Doha
Lebanon is closely following the crisis between three member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the State of Qatar considering the special place of Doha in the hearts of many Lebanese, among them 24,000 citizens are residing here.
The State of Qatar has played an important role in sponsoring various Lebanese issues including reconstruction projects following the Israeli aggression on Lebanon in 2006; the Doha Agreement which ended the political crisis in 2008 and the support provided for the displaced Syrians in a country burdened with debt of more than USD73 billion.
Lebanon's official position is committed to neutrality in the crisis in order to preserve Lebanon's policy of self-restraint during regional and international crises.
In a speech on Wednesday, the Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri renewed his government's commitment to"positive neutrality" towards all Arab countries, stressing that the Lebanese government will not interfere in the emerging differences between the GCC countries and Egypt on the one hand and Qatar on the other.
Qatar News Agency (QNA)'s correspondent in Beirut met with a number of Lebanese MPs, ministers, officials and academics who, although differing in their political orientations in Lebanon, were unanimously unified on the positive role being played by Qatar in Lebanon, calling for dialogue to settle the differences.
Lebanese officials from different political orientations highlighted Qatar's wisdom in dealing with the crisis and avoiding escalation to give an opportunity for the mediation by the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah.
A number of Lebanese officials denounced what they called a"siege" on Qatar by cutting off its land, sea and air routes with these countries.
In this context, the Lebanese officials recalled Qatar's stand on Lebanon's side in the most difficult periods through the reconstruction of Lebanese villages after the aggression on Lebanon in 2006 and by helping Lebanon to end its crisis thanks to the"Doha Agreement" signed by the Lebanese factions in Doha on May 21, 2008, which marked the end of an 18-month-long political crisis in Lebanon, paving the way towards the election of Michel Suleiman as President of the Republic.
Development and Liberation Parliamentary bloc member, MP Qasim Hashim, stressed the importance of dialogue for a settlement among the GCC member states, stressing that the severing of relations has repercussions on the entire Arab world.
For his part,"Future" bloc member Deputy Khaled Zahraman stressed the need for dialogue to resolve the crisis between the State of Qatar and some GCC countries.
For his part, former Labour Minister Saja'an Qazzi told QNA such measures should not be taken between brothers while they are not taken against the enemies. He refused to compromise at this stage Lebanese-Qatari relations, praising Qatar's support for his country in all its difficult situations, especially after the Israeli aggression in 2006 through the reconstruction of the south as well as the provision of aid, donations and assistance to the displaced Syrians in Lebanon and by sponsoring the"Doha Agreement" between the Lebanese parties in 2008.
In this context, Qazzi hailed Lebanese-Qatari relations, expressing his country's hope that harmony will prevail among all Arab countries and that relations between GCC member states will return to normal. He stressed that Lebanon supports the"restoration" of relations between Arab countries as any threat to any Arab country will have significant impact on the region.
In response to a question on the legality of the severing of some countries diplomatic relations with Qatar, Legal Expert Hassan Bazzi told QNA the international law doesn't stipulate any specific rules on means of severing of diplomatic ties between two states, however, any dispute must be resolved through direct dialogue, an international mediator or by raising the dispute to an international tribunal, pointing out that countries that have severed their relations with Qatar have not respected rules of customary international law.
For his part, political researcher Dr Ali al Agha, rejected the principle of severing diplomatic relations, stressing that tension in the relations between the Arab countries is not in their interest and serves enemy countries of the region, especially Israel, which seeks regional crisis as stability is not in its favour.
"Thank you Qatar" remains at the heart of Lebanese since the reconstruction by the State of Qatar of a number of villages in southern Lebanon after the Israeli aggression in 2006.
Many of them continue to say it in recognition of the great support offered by Qatar, which received them without entry visas and did not close its crossings during the aggression, providing them with the opportunity to work in Doha witnessing a comprehensive urban renaissance.
