Former Qatari Prime Minister Hamad Bin Jassim Describes First Meeting With Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah: It Was A Good Meeting, We Were Not Against Them (Archival)

Former Qatari Prime Minister Hamad Bin Jassim said in an interview published on April 28, 2022 on the website of the Kuwait-based Al-Qabas newspaper that his first meeting with Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah took place after the 2006 Lebanon War and had been a "good meeting". He said that Qatar had requested the meeting because it was trying to advance its activities in Lebanon, adding: "We were not against them."

Interviewer: "You mentioned that you had met Hizbullah's Secretary-General. Was it at that period?"

Hamad Bin Jassim: "Yes, at that period."

Interviewer: "What was the reason for the meeting and what kind of arrangements were made? Was it the first time you met him?"

Bin Jassim: "Yes, that was the first time. The meeting was held in a way... There was an objection... There were negotiations between our security agencies and those of Hizbullah, because there were reservations about how the meeting would be held."

Interviewer: "Whose idea what it? Who called the meeting?"

Bin Jassim: "I think we asked to meet him, because we were trying to expediate (our) activity in Lebanon. I think so. We received indications from them that (Nasrallah) also wanted to see me, because following Qatar's position in the Security Council... As soon as he took his seat. He thanked Qatar and its position."

Interviewer: "Qatar's position in 2006?"

Bin Jassim: "In 2006 or 2007. In the Security Council following the Israeli invasion.

[...]

"The meeting was friendly. It was a good meeting."

Interviewer: "How did he welcome you?"

Bin Jassim: "It was excellent. We were not against them. There was still the issue of South Lebanon, our position in the Security Council, and all the Qatari aid in South Lebanon... He was grateful for this position."

Interviewer: "Did he ask anything specific from you?"

Bin Jassim: "No."

Interviewer: "So the meeting as just to make acquaintance?"

Bin Jassim: "No, we discussed some solutions for Lebanon we were working on. It was only for the sake of Lebanon's interest."