Tripoli: Six ambassadors from France, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Armenia embarked on a tour of Tripoli's historic old souks, organized by the Cultural Committee of the Municipality of Tripoli in collaboration with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), to celebrate Francophonie Month. The tour aimed to showcase the city's rich history and cultural heritage.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the event commenced at the Rashid Karami Municipal Cultural Center. It included participation from AUF's Regional Director, Jean-No«l Ballieu, and Levon Amirjanian, representative of the International Association of La Francophonie (OIF), alongside deans and directors from several universities in the region. Students and civil society activists also joined the celebration.
In his opening remarks, Francophone Digital Center Director Ziad Naja highlighted various Francophone activities in Tripoli and Lebanon. Ballieu provided insights into the AUF's mission, while Amirjanian discussed the role of the OIF.
French Ambassador Herv© Magro addressed the gathering on behalf of the Francophone ambassadors, reflecting on Tripoli's historic ties with France. He acknowledged the positive changes occurring in Lebanon and emphasized continued support for the city.
Mayor of Tripoli Riad Yamak welcomed the attendees, discussing the values of Ramadan and the city's transformation during the holy month. He also spoke on Tripoli's historical significance, its contributions to culture and economy, and addressed the challenges faced by the city post-independence.