PM Mikati holds a dinner banquet in honor of Irish President
Saturday, Oct 15, 2011
Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, met Saturday evening at the Grand Serail with Irish President, Mary MacAleese, who is currently on an official visit to Lebanon. Also attending the meeting was Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Adnan Mansour, and Senator Martin Mac-Aleese, spouse of the Irish President.
Premier Mikati stressed during the encountner that Lebanon is honored for being one of the founders of the United Nations and hence, is committed to all international resolutions especially Decision #1701. He added that he shall spare no effort for the sake of boosting the Lebanese armed forces, rendering them capable of replacing the UNIFIL peace-keeping forces currently operating in South Lebanon.
Mikati expressed Lebanon's appreciation for the role and efforts exerted by Ireland through its contribution to the UNIFIl peacekeeping forces in the South, hailing herein the souls of all Irish martyrs who fell on Lebanon's soil. Mikati stressed Lebanon's appreciation of Ireland's role in convincing the international community in endorsing the agreement banning use of cluster bombs.
Furthermore, Mikati hailed the positive attributes of the Irish people and the points of resemblance that they share with the Lebanese, especially the globalization aspect. He noted herein that both the Lebanese and Irish people are amongst the most citizens widely-spread all over the world. He added that they are both people of humor and kind nature, enjoying the spirit of initiative and trustworthiness, as well as many other mutual attributes
In turn, the Irish President valued Lebanon's commitment to boosting ties with the European Union. She also praised the rise of Lebanon after the difficult circumstances it had undergone and its reconstruction phase. She hailed the Lebanese people for their courage and spirit of initiative and ability to overcome the hard times.
President MacAleese also hoped for widened mutual cooperation between both countries through determined initiatives that would reflect positively on both Lebanon and Ireland at the economic and social levels.
It is to note that PM Mikati held a dinner banquet in honor of the Irish President and her husband and members of her accompanying delegation.

