Lebanon and Australia’s bond of friendship grows ever tighter  

"Embassy’s plan of action for the years to come aims at pushing forward Lebanese-Australian relations and exploring new possibilities for co-operation and partnership" – Milad Raad

16/12/2017

(Translation appears in Arabic section)

Canberra- ME Times Int'l: Lebanon celebrated its 74th Independence Day in late November. To mark the occasion Lebanon’s Ambassador Milad Raad presented a speech to Australian dignitaries, high ranking government officials and Lebanese-Australian community leaders in Canberra. The following is an edited extract of Mr Raad’s speech.

The last five years have witnessed growing activity of bilateral visits between Lebanon and Australia. Among these has been a presidential visit from Lebanon to Australia in 2012, a visit by Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop in 2014, a visit by the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil in March. This was followed a month later by the visit of the Australian Minister of Justice Michael Keenan.  Naturally, a major part of my Embassy’s plan of action for the years to come aims at pushing forward Lebanese-Australian relations in existing domains, and exploring new possibilities for co-operation and partnership.

Lebanon and Australia do have specialties, a prime component of which is the large Lebanese-Australian community, and that is reflected in the high number of missions that Lebanon has in Australia, namely the Embassy in Canberra, two Consulates General in Sydney and Melbourne, and two Honorary Consulates in Adelaide and Brisbane.  And Lebanon wishes to soon have more honorary consulates in Australia.

Speaking of the bond between Lebanon and Australia, one of the beautiful manifestations of that was seen recently in Australia, as the Lebanese national rugby team competed in a tournament, thanks to many great Lebanese-Australian players who formed part of the team.

In fact, Mr Gebran Bassil, recognising the importance of active engagement with the overseas global Lebanese community, has since 2014 organised a yearly conference.  The fifth Lebanese Diaspora Energy – LDE – conference will be held in Lebanon next May. 

Moreover, being aware of the necessity to reach out to the Lebanese in the world, my Ministry initiated, a few years ago, and an overseas regional version of the LDE conference, so far having been held in Africa, North America and Latin America.  I have the pleasure to announce that LDE Oceania is due to be held in Sydney next March.

I would like to mention two matters that constitute a new and vital part of the Lebanese Government’s engagement with the diaspora.

One is the right given to the Lebanese emigrants to vote in the parliamentary elections while they live abroad, and elect members of the Lebanese parliament.  This has led to more than 90,000 registered worldwide. It was exciting that the highest percentage of those came from Australia.

The other matter is the right given to members of the diaspora to claim Lebanese citizenship (between brackets, I have to say, it is understood this issue cannot be of interest to members of, or candidates for the Australian Federal Parliament).  In this regard, one of the banners here is about what we call “Lebanity”, having Lebanese ancestry and claiming Lebanese citizenship.

Lebanon, of course, faces many challenges including the liberation of still-occupied parts of its territory. There is also the crisis in Syria and its impact on Lebanon. I sincerely hope and pray that the plight of our Syrian brothers and sisters come to an end very soon.

Another issue is counter-terrorism. Praise here for the heroic Lebanese Army and the Lebanese security agencies, who have successfully engaged in a fierce fight against terrorists.

In all that, and more, Lebanon needs continued and increased support by its friends and the international community.