Beirut: President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, on Wednesday welcomed Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, at Baabda Palace. They discussed general affairs with a focus on the latest developments in southern Lebanon, along with matters related to the caretaker government.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, earlier in the day, Baabda Palace was the venue for the credential presentation ceremony of 13 newly accredited ambassadors to Lebanon. The ambassadors included Masayuki Magoshi from Japan, Kapila Susantha Jayaweera from Sri Lanka, Muhammad Noor Rahman Sheikh from India, Herv© Magro from France, Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Faisal Thani Al Thani from Qatar, Maria Hadjitheodosiou from Cyprus, Despina Koukopoulou from Greece, Alaa Moussa from Egypt, Lisa Johnson from the United States, Jessica Maria Therese Svardstrom from Sweden, Marcos Manuel Correa Letelier from Chile, Ingrid Amer from Estonia, and Gorazd Rencelj from Slovenia.
The credential ceremony was attended by Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdallah Bou Habib, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hani Chmeitiley, Director-General of Protocol at the Presidential Palace Nabil Chdid, and Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Osama Khashab.
Upon arrival at the palace, the ambassadors were received with official ceremonial honors. The Lebanese Army band played the national anthem of each ambassador's respective country while their national flag was raised alongside the Lebanese flag.
Each ambassador saluted the flag, reviewed the Republican Guard, and proceeded through the ceremonial hallway to the ambassadorial lounge, where they presented their credentials to President Aoun and introduced the members of their diplomatic missions.
Following the presentation, the Lebanese Army band played the Lebanese national anthem as each ambassador departed.
The ambassadors conveyed greetings from their respective heads of state and expressed their commitment to strengthening ties between Lebanon and their countries. President Aoun, in turn, extended his greetings to their leaders and wished them success in their diplomatic missions.