Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam greets Sheikh Saleh Kamel (center, prominent Saudi businessman and chairman and founder of the Dallah Al-Baraka Group. Also pictured are Mohammad Ahmad Tayeb, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Makkah region; Emaad Shaat and Fathi Nefiaty, consuls general of Palestine and Tunis, respectively. — Saudi Gazette photo by Samar Yahya

 

Samar Yahya

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH —  Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam was honored by his country’s consulate on Monday evening during his first visit abroad.



Lebanese Consul General Ziad Atallah, who hosted a reception ceremony on the occasion, praised Saudi-Lebanese relations.



In his speech, he paid tribute to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and the Saudi government for the support given to Lebanon.



“The distinguished Saudi-Lebanese relationships are historical and strong fraternally on both official and grassroots levels.



“The return of (Saudi) Ambassador Ali Awaad Asiri to Beirut reflects the strong relations and the support given by Kingdom.”



Ambassador Ahmad Mohammad Tayeb, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Makkah region, said: “It is my honor to welcome Lebanese Prime Minster Tammam Salam today.



“Lebanon is in the heart of Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques and all Saudis. “Our hopes and sorrows are shared. “We wish Lebanon would continue to be united and the icon of beauty in the Eastern world.”



In his address, Prime Minister Salam said: “The strong Saudi-Lebanese relations are historical and we all realize the benefits of this relationship for Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Islamic worlds.



“In Lebanon we went through bad circumstances for the year, however, Saudi Arabia always supported Lebanon in its hiccups and never participated in any process that might weaken or negatively affect Lebanon.



“Saudi Arabia is always the support of Lebanon to cure its pains and wounds," he said.



Salam said the new government was focused on maintaining the security and safety of Lebanon and believed “unity” was the only way the country could continue to move away from “struggles that might occur among parties or groups”.



He said: “In addition to business and investments, we are looking for a high tourism season that we missed a while ago.



“We are optimistic to see many investors and businessmen during the upcoming Business Forum next month in Beirut.”



Lebanese Ambassador in the Kingdom Abdel Sattar Issa said: “We all express our gratitude to Saudi Arabia for giving the largest grant of $3 billion to the Lebanese army. “We hope all other countries do the same for Lebanon.”



Atallah also revealed that construction work is ongoing for the consulate’s new premises in the Al-Basateen area that will host the new consulate chancery, the consul general’s residence as well as a Lebanese club to host events and gatherings. In addition, the consulate’s services will be upgraded.



Atallah promised the next Independence Day celebrations would be held in the new consulate premises.



Guests included consuls general and ambassadors of many countries as well as many Saudi and Lebanese businessmen and known figures.