NNA - "Lebanese Forces" Party Chief, Samir Geagea, and his wife, MP Strida, hosted a farewell dinner on Friday in honor of outgoing Kuwaiti Ambassador, Abdul-Aal Al-Qina'i, and his wife, Mrs. Rasha, after 15 years of serving as his country's ambassador to Lebanon.
The dinner banquet was attended by Egyptian Ambassador Yasser Alawi, MPs Ghassan Hasbani, Ashraf Rifi and Pierre Bou Assi, and LF's Foreign Relations Official, former Minister Richard Kouyoumjian.
In his word on the occasion, Geagea hailed the valuable role and contribution of the Kuwaiti Ambassador throughout his term of office in Lebanon, cherishing "the good historical relationship between Lebanon and Kuwait."
Addressing the Kuwaiti Ambassador, Geagea said: "You have never failed in your commitments, nor in your devotion to Lebanon and the Lebanese, nor in your friendships and your belief in the cause for which we are fighting, represented by the sovereignty, freedom and independence of our beloved homeland, Lebanon."
He added: "It is true, Your Excellency, that there are many and great mutual aspects between the sisterly State of Kuwait and Lebanon, especially since our two countries are located next to larger and stronger countries; yet, it is also true that the faith of both the Kuwaiti and Lebanese peoples in their steadfastness and rootedness in their countries, makes us pass various common trials and tribulations, adhering to our right to a free and dignified life."
Geagea wished the outgoing Kuwaiti diplomat all success in his new mission, thanking him and the sisterly State of Kuwait, the Emir, the government and the people, for all their support and assistance to Lebanon through the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development, with the latest initiatives in this framework being Kuwait's declaration of standing by the Lebanese people in wake of the disaster of the August 4 port explosion.
At the end of the dinner banquet, Geagea presented Al-Qina'i with a symbolic gift of "The Complete Collection of Gibran's Works", in both Arabic and English, placed in a wooden box bearing the Lebanese and Kuwaiti flags.
==========R.Sh.
