Day: May 24, 2023

Through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), Japan provided three waste collection trucks through the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) to help four municipalities in Baalbek-Hermel tackle solid waste management challenges. This assistance will enable more than 41,000 residents to live in better public health conditions. On May 23 2023, Ambassador MAGOSHI attended a ceremony that celebrated the hand-over of three waste collection vehicles, in the presence of Governor of Baalbek-Hermel, H.E. Mr. Bashir Khodr and General Manager of LOST, Dr. Rami Lakkis. The ceremony opened with the national anthems of Japan and Lebanon, followed by congratulatory remarks from Ambassador MAGOSHI, Mr. Khodr and Dr. Lakkis. In his speech, Ambassador MAGOSHI highlighted Japan’s contribution to sustainable and effective solutions for waste management in Lebanon, and mentioned that people’s efforts and participation are fundamental for the continued success of this project. In return, Mr. Khodr thanked Japan for its generous support to municipalities in Baalbeck-Hermel, and appealed for urgent support towards increased needs in waste management in the region. As for Dr. Lakkis, he expressed sincere gratitude for Japan’s support to vital sectors in Lebanon during critical times, and praised its unwavering commitment to diligently working to improve conditions of vulnerable populations, hoping for the continuation of the partnership with Japan.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Attorney General Judge Imad Qabalan, began interrogating Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh over the red notice issued by the Interpol against him at the request of the French judiciary.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Lebanon’s Ministry of Information on Tuesday evening launched the activities of “Beirut the Capital of Arab Media 2023” during a ceremony held at the Middle East Aviation Center in Beirut, under the auspices of Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, represented by Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Makary. The opening ceremony of this event was attended by Caretaker Ministers of Tourism, Walid Nassar, Public Works and Transport, Dr. Ali Hamieh, Finance Dr. Youssef Al-Khalil, Tele-Communications Eng. Johnny Corm, and National Education Abbas Al-Halabi, in addition to MPs Qabalan Qabalan, Fadi Alameh, Michel Moussa, Ibrahim Al-Mousawi, and MP Tony Franjieh. The opening ceremony was also attended by a number of Arab and foreign ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic missions operating in Lebanon, Information Ministry’s Director General, Dr. Hassan Falha, National News Agency (NNA) Director, Ziad Harfouche, Radio Lebanon Director, Mohammed Gharib, Director of Studies, Khoder Majid, Information Ministry’s Studies’ Department Head, Khodr Majed, in addition to scores of media and cultural figures. In his delivered speech, the Assistant Secretary of the League of Arab States, Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, said: ‘It is a great honor to attend this evening to represent the League of Arab States at the ‘Beirut Capital of Arab Media 2023’ ceremony, under the slogan ‘Here’s Beirut’… That picturesque cosmic middle city that carries the fragrant of history and human civilization, which has proven in all circumstances to be a symbol of pride and challenge, defying difficulties and misfortunes.’ Ambassador Khattabi also indicated: “I am confident that Beirut, the heart of Lebanon, will remain faithful to its ancient identity, the roots of the cedar tree, and a space for pluralism, love and harmony.” Afterwards, a short movie entitled, “Here’s Beirut”, prepared and directed by “Phenomena”, was screened during the opening ceremony. In his inaugural speech, Caretaker Minister Makary said: ‘Beirut, ‘the capital of Arab media for 2023,’ a well-deserved title! Beirut is the capital of Arab media for all years. Here is “freedom of the press”, Here is ‘Free press’, and here is success, distinction, brilliance, openness and creativity!.’ Makary added: “Beirut, the capital of Arab media,” is not only an occasion for demonstrating our leadership, nor an occasion for demonstrating our culture only. “Beirut, Capital of Arab Media” is an occasion to manifest our Arabism and purify it from its impurities. Therefore, I launch an appeal to all our Arab brothers, to render this year a year of media openness between our Arab capitals, be a year in which we can demonstrate our living culture, with its motto ‘a culture that unites us, not ignorance that separates us’.’ The Minister concluded: “We want this celebration to be a window of hope, and a gateway for the return of Lebanese-Arab relations to their natural course. Here is Beirut, Here is ‘the mother of journalism,’ ‘the mother of culture,’ ‘the mother of laws,’ and ‘the mother of legislations’.’ Later, 11 media professionals from various local media outlets read out the articles of the “Beirut Document”, which stated: “It aims to define the Lebanese vision for the function of the media, its role and objectives, and to recall professional postulates based on the “Beirut Capital of Arab Media 2023″ event, and based on the principle of belief in public freedoms. We hope that this document will be a local road map based on the principles and ethics of journalistic and media work.” It is to note that the idea of choosing ‘a capital for Arab media’ was launched by the Council of Arab Information Ministers during its 47th regular session back in 2016, with the aim of shedding light on national media work within member states.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Lebanese Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Wednesday received at his Yarzeh office, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, and discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the region.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, praised the role of indigenous clans in ending conflicts, calling for support for Basra in the budget to improve its reality.

His media office stated in a statement: “Al-Mandalawi met in his office today, a number of sheikhs, notables, and people of Basra Governorate, to learn about the needs and problems that the province suffers from.”

Al-Mandlawi praised the role of the indigenous Basra clans in cooperating with the security services to establish security and maintain the stability of the province, and their efforts to reduce conflicts and contribute to resolving them and controlling civil peace in it. At the same time, he appreciated Basra for its significant contributions to the success of the Gulf Championship in Basra and left a great imprint and impression for all Arab guests in the governorate.

He called for improving the reality of Basra and advancing its health, education, service and other sectors, and supporting the province in the budget by granting it sufficient financial allocations to complete important projects in it.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Maysan Governorate received an environmental ministerial delegation from the Directorate of Climate Change and the Environmental Awareness and Media Department, in order to prepare a documentary film on the drought of the Maysan Marshes.

The Maysan Environment Directorate said in a statement: “The delegation met with the first deputy governor of Maysan, Jaseb Al-Hijami, and discussed the drought of the marshes and the local government’s measures to limit these effects on the local population and biodiversity.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency