Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Thursday affirmed that every time Lebanon found itself in a state of crisis or need, France was always present to help it and stand by its side. “This is something that all Lebanese highly appreciate and value,” Mikati added.
He reiterated Lebanon’s thankfulness to French President, Emmanuel Macron, for standing by Lebanon to help it rise again and restore its growth and prosperity.
“The French support for Lebanon is of special importance because France represents the heart of the international community, which comprises of our Arab brothers and friends in the world,” Mikati said.
The Prime Minister sponsored at the Grand Serail a signature ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transportation, Dr. Ali Hamieh, and his French counterpart, Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, according to which France will provide Lebanon with a donation of 50 transport buses.
The signature ceremony was attended by French Ambassador to Lebanon, Anne Grillo, and other senior French and Lebanese officials.
Earlier on Thursday, the French Minister of Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, arrived at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, kicking off an official visit to Lebanon. Receiving him at the airport’s Salon of Honor were his Lebanese counterpart, Dr. Ali Hamieh, French Ambassador to Lebanon, Anne Grillo, and other senior officials.
The French Minister thanked Hamieh for his invitation, adding that the visit is a continuation of the discussions that Hamieh had held during his visit to France, especially with regard to the transport sector.
Djebbari expressed his country’s continuous support for Lebanon, stressing that “France was and will always be by Lebanon’s side.”
He then indicated that he supported Minister Hamieh’s project to advance the state, alongside the Lebanese government.
In turn, Minister Hamieh welcomed his French counterpart. “France has previously demonstrated, and is proving again today, its relentless support for Lebanon ‘in deed’ and not only ‘in words’,” Hamieh said.
“The outcome of my visit to France is starting to materialize today, especially with regard to the French donation of buses, which is part of the solution,” the Lebanese Transportation Minister said.
Hamieh went on to explain that the French support was not limited to buses. “The French state has expressed willingness to help establish a legal framework to regulate partnership between the public and private sectors, so that the state becomes the regulator and the private sector becomes the operator,” Hamieh added.
He went on to stress that activating Beirut Port benefited all of the Lebanese. “Today, a signature ceremony will take place between the management and investment committee of Beirut Port and CMA CGM, which will manage, operate, and maintain the container terminal that serves to increase revenues for the Lebanese state; this falls within the framework of the ministry’s policy in activating Lebanese facilities,” explained Hamieh.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
