Qatar Emir Becomes 'Star' of Beirut Summit after 1-Hour Attendance

Qatar's ruler on Sunday attended the Beirut Arab economic summit before leaving abruptly after around a one-hour attendance.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani had been received at Beirut's airport by President Michel Aoun.

The emir left after Aoun's opening speech and was accompanied to the airport by Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.

Sheikh Tamim and the president of Mauritania were the only heads of state from the 22-member Arab League who came to Beirut to attend Sunday's summit.

The ruler of the tiny Gulf state had suddenly decided Saturday to attend the summit. Media reports said Aoun called the emir and convinced him to attend.

The other leaders' absence appeared to be a snub to Lebanon, where pro-Syrian groups led by the Iranian-backed Hibullah had insisted that Assad should be invited.

Some media reports said Tamim's attendance carried regional political messages to rival Gulf states.

The official spokesman of the Lebanese presidency as well as the summit, Rafik Chalala, meanwhile denied reports claiming that Qatar has "paid the summit's expenses" and "deposited funds in Banque du Liban."