Under the patronage of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Saudi Embassy in Lebanon and King Salman Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Relief hosted a symposium entitled "Humanitarian Action between Donors' Contributions and Role of Implementing Agencies" at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beirut.
The Saudi Embassy organized the event on the third day visit of the Saudi Royal Court Advisor, General Supervisor of King Salman Centre for Relief and Humanitarian Works, Abdullah Al Rabia'ah, to Lebanon.
The event was attended by Premier Saad Hariri, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon, Waleed Bukhari, former PMs Fouad Siniora and Tammam Salam, and Vice Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani.
The "Towards Unrestricted Humanity" symposium also took place in the presence of Ministers Youssef Fenianos, Avedis Guidanian, Wael Abou Faour and Adel Afiouni, as well as Mufti of the Lebanese Republic Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, in addition to scores of political, media, religious, economic, and social dignitaries.
In his delivered word, Ambassador Bukhari hailed the national coexistence prevailing in Lebanon amongst all its components, as well as its hosting of its Syrian and Palestinian refugee brethrens.
He also underlined the paramount importance of an unrestricted humanity, wondering "what's the value of being alive without humanity?".
Bukhari brought to attention that Human development has long been the prime focus of Saudi Arabia since the days of founder King Abdul Aziz.
"Saudi Arabia considers that humanity is one of the sharp swords in uprooting terrorism from its origin," Bukhari corroborated.
"At every landmark and in any iota of the world, Saudi Arabia will be in the forefront of defending humanity and will be the greatest volunteer for relieving the underprivileged, out of its conviction to alleviate human suffering and ensure a decent life for the vulnerable," Bukhari maintained.
Bukhari also pointed out that the arduous efforts by Al Rabia'ah in Lebanon affirm his country's keenness on Lebanon's safety and stability and the preservation of its national unity.
The Saudi Ambassador deemed Lebanon as a "gem of moderation and coexistence" and a "landmark of openness, culture, tolerance and dialogue."
Al Rabia'ah, for his part, said in his address that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appreciates the great role played by Lebanon in hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees, hailing the role undertaken by international and local relief organizations managing the affairs of Syrian refugees.
Al Rabia'ah also indicated that "relief work is the responsibility of all," adding that the current circumstances necessitate concerted efforts by the humanitarian community in its two main segments- donors and implementers- to reduce the burden on the host countries of refugees.
Al Rabia'ah also recapped the humanitarian projects undertaken by the King Salman Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Relief in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Myanmar and Iraq.
In his delivered word distributed by Premier Hariri's Media Bureau, Hariri said: "I would like to welcome His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Rabeeah, General Supervisor of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the accompanying delegation.
Your visit to Lebanon is not a unique or a strange event. It comes in the framework of the special relations that have existed for decades between the Kingdom and Lebanon. It is an evidence of the continuation of this relationship, which we are keen to maintain and develop.
Your mission, rich with meetings with all Lebanese political and religious authorities, under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, indicates the true desire of the Kingdom's leaders to emphasize their will to deepen the brotherly ties with the Lebanese and support the unity, independence and sovereignty of Lebanon, and its formula of coexistence between all its components that is unique in the region, and protect it from the repercussions of the fires, crises and interventions that plague many countries.
Lebanon has a large place in the hearts of the brothers and leaders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in particular the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Kingdom has always been a leader in caring about Lebanon's issues and problems and what it faced as a result of the Israeli aggressions against it over the years. The Kingdom always helped Lebanon resolve its internal crises and alleviate the repercussions of its successive economic and financial crises.
It sponsored the Taif Agreement and assisted the Lebanese people to reach this agreement that ended the disastrous civil war and became the Constitution of the Lebanese state and an example of a method to end civil wars and complex crises currently taking place in some countries. It helped Lebanon reconstruct what was destroyed by the Israeli aggressions, the last being in July 2006. This assistance enabled the affected Lebanese to return to their homes at a record speed to prevent the enemy from achieving its objective of emptying the territory from its citizens.
Your visit to Lebanon goes beyond signing an agreement with the Higher Relief Commission to cover the requirements of the needy Lebanese families. We hope this agreement would be the first of a series of agreements to be signed between the two countries in the near future, to develop the bilateral relations in various fields in line with the requirements of the new era.
The decision taken by the Saudi leadership to lift the travel ban to Lebanon has largely increased the number of visitors to Lebanon recently, which signals a promising summer that the Lebanese are waiting for.
Finally, the Kingdom, which always stood by Lebanon, with the Arab brothers, and was always the first to help it in its crises, whatever some may say, still stands by Lebanon, without discriminating between the Lebanese. It has allies and friends, but when it helps it does not differentiate between friends, allies and even the ones who do not like the Kingdom. It always preserved this. It is the Kingdom of goodness, love and humanity."
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