Thousands of people lined the streets in the area, bedecked with signs reading “Thank you, Qatar,” in a tribute to the emir.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s tour of the overwhelmingly Shiite Muslim border area — a stronghold of Lebanon’s Hezbollah — is a major boost to the group, which fought Israel in a bitter, monthlong war in 2006.

Although the visit has been scheduled for some time, it comes as Hezbollah is under pressure because of expectations that some of its members will be indicted by a UN tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Hezbollah’s commander in south Lebanon, Sheikh Nabil Kaouk, and other Hezbollah officials were at hand to welcome the emir.

“I am happy to be here, in this area that was rebuilt after it was destroyed,” Al Thani said in the town of Bint Jbeil, which Israeli bombings reduced to rubble in the 2006 war.

“I thank the mujahideen who sacrificed their lives” to defend Lebanon, he added in a reference to Hezbollah fighters.

Qatar spent millions of dollars to help finance the reconstruction of houses in four border towns, including Bint Jbeil.

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah told reporters the emir’s visit was “a strong political message” of support for Lebanon and the people of the south.

During his visit to the south Saturday, Al Thani inaugurated a hospital in Bint Jbeil and a nearby mosque and church. He also visited the notorious Khiam prison, a former detention center that was run by Israel’s Lebanese militia allies.