In implementation of the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, two aircraft of the Qatar Amiri Air Force landed in Beirut on Wednesday carrying two fully equipped field hospitals with a capacity of 500 beds each.

The field hospitals have been provided by Qatar for the areas of Tyre and Tripoli in order to assist the Lebanese authorities in containing the spread of Covid-19.

The two aircraft were received at Rafic Hariri International Airport by Minister of Public Health in the Lebanese Caretaker Government Dr Hamad Hassan, and Lebanon's High Relief Commission secretary-general, Major-General Mohamed Kheir.

In remarks following the landing of the aircraft, Dr Hassan extended thanks to His Highness the Amir and the Qatari people for the assistance and this humanitarian initiative.

At the time of despair and discouragement caused by the successive crises in Lebanon, the news of the human initiative of the Qatari brothers came as a blessing to the Lebanese people, the minister said, noting that Qatar had earlier offered two field hospitals for the Al Roum and Al Geitawi hospitals.

For his part, Major-General Kheir expressed thanks to Qatar for the generous assistance, lauding the depth of the two countries' relations.

Meanwhile, acting charge d'affaires at the Qatari embassy in Beirut Ali Mohamed al-Mutawaa noted the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between Qatar and Lebanon, explaining that the two hospitals were fully equipped to serve areas of Tyre to the south and Tripoli to the north. He also revealed that two other aircraft carrying modern medical equipment will arrive in Beirut today to equip the two field hospitals.

In a related context, Qatar Fund for Development director-general Khalifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari said Qatar's support for its brothers and friends, especially during this crisis, is pivotal to help countries fight Covid-19. The pandemic represents a threat to the whole world, especially in light of the exceptional and difficult circumstances facing Lebanon following the explosion of Beirut Port in August.