Doha, August 08 (QNA) - HE Lebanese Minister of Information Engineer Ziad Theodore Makary praised the Qatari media and the great development it witnessed recently, expressing his hope that the Lebanese side will benefit from the technologically advanced media field in the State of Qatar.

In an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the sidelines of his current visit to Doha, HE the Lebanese Minister of Information noted that the Lebanese media has a long history, and has had a great influence on most major Arab and foreign media outlets, however, the financial and political crisis Lebanon is going through has burdened the country, leading to a noticeable downturn in the march of the Lebanese media and its role, and prompted many media professionals to leave the country in search of better opportunities.

HE the Minister added that he had met with HE Chairman of the Qatar Media Corporation Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al-Thani during his stay in Doha, and had discussed means of strengthening the cooperation between the Lebanese Ministry of Information and the Qatar Media Corporation.

HE the Minister of Information expressed his happiness with the constant visits of his country's officials to the State of Qatar, whose support for successive Lebanese governments did not stop, reflecting its keenness on Lebanon and its people, aiding them in overcoming any circumstances. The Minister noted Qatar's openness to Lebanon in all fields, especially media which is developing very quickly, in light of the difficult circumstances that Lebanon is facing currently.

HE Minister Makary expressed his admiration for the accomplishments achieved by the State of Qatar in preparation for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and his pride in the fact that a brotherly Arab country got the honor of hosting such a tournament; stressing his confidence that this version of the FIFA World Cup will be the best ever, and will reflect the culture and civilization of the Arab world as a whole.

At the conclusion of his statement to QNA, the Lebanese Minister of Information affirmed his country's keenness to strengthen its relations with all world countries, especially the Arab and GCC countries, and to preserve these relations in the best form. (QNA)