Qatar Announces Solar Plant Project in Lebanon

Qatar's prime minister has announced plans to set up a massive solar plant in Lebanon to help ease its energy crisis.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani made the announcement in Beirut after meeting Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

The announcement was reported on October 16, according to Al Jazeera. Sheikh Mohammed had met Lebanon's president and parliament speaker in Beirut earlier in the day. Those meetings preceded his talks with Salam.

The proposal centers on an agreement between QatarEnergy and French company TotalEnergies. The two will jointly develop a solar power plant in Lebanon as an initial project. Solar plants produce electricity from sunlight, offering a source that does not depend on fuel deliveries.

Salam said the Qatari side will fund, implement and activate the project. He said there would be no cost to the Lebanese state. Salam also said he would put plans for Lebanon's electricity sector to the Lebanese Cabinet soon.

The remarks on electricity focused on next procedural steps inside Lebanon. The project was presented as a plan, not as a completed facility. Reliable power affects homes, businesses and public services that depend on steady electricity.

Sheikh Mohammed said he discussed Israeli violations within Lebanese territories with Salam. He said Israel should withdraw from Lebanon and cease its attacks. Qatar is working in coordination with the United States to lay groundwork for future reconstruction in southern Lebanon.

That work is intended to allow displaced people to return. Reconstruction in this context means preparing damaged areas in the south for residents to live in again.