Qatar announces 'large-scale' solar power project in Lebanon

Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has announced plans to build what he described as a "large-scale" solar power plant in Lebanon, aimed at helping ease the country's energy crisis.

The announcement came during a visit to Beirut on Friday, following a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Nawaf Salam. According to the Qatari prime minister, the two sides agreed to establish a comprehensive cooperation framework in the energy sector and to put forward viable solutions.

QatarEnergy has reached an agreement with French company TotalEnergies to jointly develop a solar power plant in Lebanon as an initial project. The goal is to develop a major investment project that "benefits the Lebanese economy as well as the Qatari companies and entities involved."

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he would soon present a plan for developing the electricity sector to the Cabinet. He stressed that Qatar would finance, execute and operate the project without imposing any cost on the Lebanese state, calling the move significant given the country's financial crisis.

Lebanon's state electricity company is one of the country's largest sources of debt, having lost about $40 billion over decades due to a bloated payroll and outdated infrastructure. The utility provides only a few hours of power a day, and until a year ago the state had to draw advances from the central bank when diesel fuel ran out.

The Qatari prime minister affirmed that Doha stands in "solidarity with the Lebanese people" and the entire region "in this difficult hour." Lebanon has struggled with multiple energy crises in recent years, with the situation worsened by the country's financial collapse and repeated Israeli attacks.

Earlier in the day, the Qatari prime minister also met with Lebanon's president and parliament speaker. Topics discussed included the situation in southern Lebanon, where Israel continues to carry out attacks and occupy dozens of towns and villages.

The Qatari prime minister said "Israeli violations in Lebanese territory" formed a large part of the discussions. He stated that Israel needs to withdraw from Lebanon and halt its attacks, adding that Qatar is coordinating with the United States to help lay the groundwork for future reconstruction in southern Lebanon and to enable displaced residents to return home.

Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon have continued despite a ceasefire reached in June. Under the US-brokered agreement, the Lebanese government is to disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah. In return, Israeli forces would gradually withdraw from the southern areas they occupy. However, Hezbollah was not party to the agreement and has refused to disarm until Israel withdraws from Lebanon.

Lebanese officials say Israeli attacks have killed more than 4,300 people in the country since March. About 1.2 million people were also displaced in Lebanon at the peak of the war.

Although most have returned home since the June ceasefire, more than 300,000 people remain displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Lebanese Prime Minister Salam thanked Qatar for its "continued" support during Lebanon's "darkest hours."