NNA - Australian Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and Minister for the Arts,  Tony Burke, arrived at Rafic Hariri International Airport Friday, coming from Australia via Cyprus, on a three-day visit where he will partake in the ordinance ceremony of Bishop Antoine Tarabay - appointed by Pope Francis as the Bishop of Maronite Diocese of Australia.

Minister Burke will be representing Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, in the ordination ceremony.

Burke was greeted at the Airport by Australian Ambassador to Lebanon, Lex Bartlem, and senior Embassy staff.

Speaking to NNA at the Airport, Burke hailed the Lebanese community in Australia especially in Sydney, saying it plays a significant role in the political, governmental, cultural and business life alike.

"The Lebanese community is one of the most distinguished communities in Australia," Burke said, adding that "he cannot imagine Australia without the Lebanese community."

In response to a question about his opinion on the current situation in the Middle East, Burke said that the Australian Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, is currently in Lebanon and he is the one who is more entitled to dwell on this matter.

"I consider that every Australian is concerned and worried about the challenges that are currently taking place in the region ... and the bottom line is that Australia wants to move towards a more peaceful Middle East region," he added.

Burke stressed that Australia is seeking to play a constructive role on this level at the UN Security Council.

----------------- L.Y