​President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, received the first version of the icon of “The Mother of God, Our Lady of Lebanon”, which the fortified nuns of Our Lady of Carmel in Harissa developed specially for the first centenary of Greater Lebanon, and which was also blessed by the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahy, in a ceremonial mass held for the occasion at the Patriarchal Edifice, in Bkerke, attended by representative of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and the Papal Ambassador of Lebanon, Monsignor Joseph Spitry.

President Aoun received the icon, during his meeting with Father Fadi Tabet, head of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, heading a delegation that included: Secretary General of the Council of the Catholic Patriarchs of the East, General Assembly of the Lebanese Maronite Missionaries Father Khalil Alwan, Director General of the Printing Press, Father Charbel Muhanna, and the agent of the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, Father Georges Bou Chaaya.

On behalf of the delegation, Father Tabet presented the first version of the icon, calling for Lebanon and its people to be protected in these difficult circumstances, offering an explanation of its symbolism, making it a unique icon in Lebanon and the world.

President Aoun was also handed an invitation to attend the inauguration of the Kabila “House of Mary” in the Harissa shrine, where the main icon will be placed.

For his side, the President thanked Father Tabet and the accompanying delegation for their initiative, stressing the importance of the shrine of the Lady of Lebanon established by the honored Patriarch Elias Al-Houaek, the great father of Lebanon, who has become a world religious and national monument, congratulating the Father Tabet on the efforts made to highlight the importance of this edifice.

Former Minister Boustany:

President Michel Aoun met former Minister, Nada Boustany, today at the Presidential Palace.​