Samar Yahya
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Lebanese nationals celebrated their country's 72nd Independence Day on at the new consulate building in Basateen District here on Sunday.
This is the second consecutive year that the event was held in the new Lebanese consulate premises even though consular work has not yet started there.
Consul General Ziad Atallah and his wife and minister Nemah Teamah received Ambassador Salah Tafran, director of financial affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Makkah region, other ambassadors and consuls general of many countries as well as many Saudi and Lebanese businessmen and prominent community members.
The ceremony began with the playing of Lebanese and Saudi national anthems.
Atallah commended the great solidarity between the Kingdom and Lebanon and praised the strong and long-lasting Saudi-Lebanese relations in which the Saudi leadership and people have never wavered a chance or an effort to support Lebanon and Lebanese in all times.
Atallah urged the community members to continue their hard work for the sake of Lebanon development, keep following the Saudi regulations and connect with the Saudi people.
Atallah thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for all the support given to Lebanon.
Atallah was keen to thank the Lebanese community for their support and efforts to build the consulate new premises. Atallah named and appreciated all the companies that contributed in building and furnishing the new premises.
He also named and praised the administrative team of Lebanese business council for its efforts one to make the new building a reality.
Nov. 22, 1943 marks the end of French colonization in Lebanon and an era of the renaissance in Lebanon.
Consul general Atallah and all invited consuls general cut the customary cake to mark the occasion.
In his speech, Atallah said he has fulfilled his earlier promise to the community. The new consulate building, he said, will largely benefit the Lebanese community in the Kingdom. Atallah also announced that more events would be held in the consulate premises including an Arab communities event in February.
