QATAR WILL CONSIDER DEPOSIT IN LEBANON'S CENTRAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 001737

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2016
TAGS: PREL EAID EFIN MASS LE QA
SUBJECT: QATAR WILL CONSIDER DEPOSIT IN LEBANON'S CENTRAL
BANK, MEDIATION ROLE

REF: A. STATE 197800


B. DOHA 1688

Derived from: DSCG 05-1, B,D.


1. (C) Summary. Ambassador discussed the crisis in Lebanon
with Minister of State Ahmed Al-Mahmoud (number two in the
Qatari MFA) December 13. Al-Mahmoud said that Lebanon's
Ambassador in Qatar had recently requested that Qatar act as
a mediator between the Lebanese government and oppostion
factions and that Qatar is studying the possibility. Qatar
will consider depositing a sum into the Lebanese Central Bank
but will not change policy regarding contact with Syrian
President al-Asad. End Summary.

Reconstruction Pledge
--------------


2. (C) Ambassador thanked Al-Mahmoud for Qatar's USD 300
million pledge for reconstruction in Lebanon and asked for an
update on disbursements. He also queried Al-Mahmoud regarding
any assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal
Security Forces. Al-Mahmoud did not provide any details but
said he would look into it. (Note. Post has made repeated
requests for updated information on assistance for Lebanon -
Ref B.)

Cash Infusion for Lebanon's Central Bank
--------------


3. (C) Ambassador explained that Lebanon's economic situation
is dire and said Qatar can help with a large cash infusion to
Lebanon's Central Bank. Al-Mahmoud replied that Qatar had
done something similar approximately 10 years ago and will
once again "take it into consideration." (Note: Post will
follow up with other Qatari officials.)

Receiving President Asad
--------------


4. (C) Ambassador noted President Bashar al-Asad's visit to
Doha December 1 for the opening of the Asian Games. He said
Asad is playing a harmful role with respect to Lebanon, and
it is better to limit high-level contact with him,
particularly during Lebanon's current crisis. Al-Mahmoud
replied that Qatar is a part of the Middle East "forever, and
we have to find a way to live without isolation." He said
Qatar understands that its interests lie with the United
States, but "we have to prepare ourselves" for the
uncertainties of the future. He noted that Qatar does not
believe a Middle East Peace Process is possible without
Syria, and thus keeping Asad engaged will have future payoffs
in terms of a "sustainable peace." He warned that if no
country has contact with Syria, it will strengthen its
hard-line position and develop its ties to Iran.

Request for Qatari Mediation?
--------------


5. (C) Asked about Qatar's policy toward Lebanon generally,
Al-Mahmoud said that Qatar has a "special relationship" with
Lebanon and respects its institutions and the outcome of its
elections. "We won't side with any country against Lebanon,"
he said. He confided that the Lebanese Ambassador to Doha
contacted him the previous day to request Qatari mediation.
He said that Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim (HBJ),who is
currently in New York, also received a call with the same
request. Al-Mahmoud said the Lebanese Ambassador did not
provide any details but implied that Qatar's relationship
with Damascus was a factor. Nevertheless, Qatar is studying
the request. "All sides accept Qatar," he said. "We have no
agenda." If Qatar decides to engage in mediation, it will
have to work out the procedures, he said. Al-Mahmoud said
that this was the first time he had spoken of the request for
mediation to someone outside of his own government.
UNTERMEYER