Information Minister Melhem Riachy honored on Thursday the well-acclaimed star Elissa, in tribute to her resilience in fighting and triumphing over her cancer disease.

"Elissa's battle against cancer shaped her into a messenger of peace and love for life," Minister Riachy said during an honorary ceremony held at the Information Ministry, in the presence of Tourism Minister Avedis Guidanian, and Minister of State for Women's Affairs Jean Ogasapian.

The ceremony was also attended by the National News Agency Director, Laure Sleiman Saab, Minister Riachy's Advisor for Francophonie Media Affairs, Elissar Naddaf, and scores of media figures.

Minister Riachy lauded Elissa's highly significant presence on the local and Arab arena, heaping praises on her remarkable, outstanding achievements in the art and music sphere, which he regarded as the "golden era."

"Elissa is a symbol of communication, dialogue and reconciliation," Riachy corroborated.

Minister Ogasapian, for his part, thanked Riachy on his gracious initiative, and saluted Elissa's unbeaten courage to face the world with her illness.

Minister Guidanian deemed Elissa as an "illuminating symbol in the country who shines in the skies of Lebanon's tourism."

The highly-renowned star, Elissa, thanked the Minister for his initiative, and encouraged all women to conduct early detection medical examinations.

"I am now recovering, and early detection helps any woman recover," Elissa stressed, indicating that she insisted on relaying her illness story via the recent musical clip to send a message that early detection can save women's lives.

"Art can be a message if it truly flows from the heart," Elissa concluded.

At the end of the ceremony, Riachy presented a shield of honor to Elissa.