​President Aoun met the Tourism Minister, Miss Lebanon and the Canadian Ambassador on a farewell visit.

Minister Nassar: “This tourism season is special”.

Miss Lebanon: “I will work to help malnourished children”.

The President stressed the need to adopt transparency, justice and equality in everything related to its work.

President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, met National Defense Minister, Maurice Sleem, today at Baabda Palace.

Security issues and the work of the institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Defense were deliberated, in addition to the results of the visit of the American mediator in the indirect negotiations to demarcate the southern maritime border, Mr. Amos Hochstein to Beirut.

Tourism Minister & Miss Lebanon:

President Aoun received Tourism Minister, Walid Nassar accompanied by Miss Lebanon 2022, Yasmina Zeitoun, and her father Mr. Ismail Zaitoun.

The President congratulated Zeitoun on winning the title, wishing her success in her responsibilities in representing the Lebanese beauty in international competitions held, especially Miss Universe and Miss World.

President Aoun also pointed out that beauty is also enhanced by culture and effort to highlight Lebanon’s civilized face, especially from the young generation who is the future of the nations.

For her part, Zeitoun thanked President Aoun for congratulating her, and asserted that she will make efforts to reflect Lebanon’s image of beauty and civilization during the international competitions in which she will participate, and will also work inside Lebanon to help children suffering from malnutrition.

Minister Nassar had presented the activities carried out by the Ministry of Tourism, including its sponsorship of the Miss Lebanon contest, pointing out that the tourist season was special this year and that the number of arrivals to Beirut through Rafic Hariri International Airport is increasing day by day.

Statement:

After the meeting, Miss Lebanon said:

“I was honored by the visit of the President of the Republic, accompanied by the Minister of Tourism, and I spoke on behalf of the youth, which I am one of, about the importance of their role and the hope they need, as the Miss Lebanon celebration was the biggest example of that because it gave them great hope.

I also spoke about the importance of strengthening the role of women. In Lebanon, while recognizing her ability to give within her community in addition to her ability to represent it. I briefed President Aoun on a practical program targeting children suffering from malnutrition, and he welcomed the idea, especially since it is unreasonable for there to be suffering of this kind in Lebanon. In light of the fact that 53% of Lebanese children are forced to skip one of their daily meals, and 80% of the Lebanese live below the poverty line.

From here, I will speak on behalf of the Lebanese people, based on my responsibility as Miss Lebanon.

I will also strive to show the beautiful image of Lebanon through my participation in the Miss Universe and Miss World competitions, which will be held next December in Costa Rica, in which I will have the honor of representing my country in front of the world”.

Canadian Ambassador:

The President Aoun met the Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon, Ms. Chantal Chastoni, on a farewell visit on the occasion of the end of her diplomatic missions in Lebanon.

Ambassador Chastoni was accompanied by the Embassy’s First Secretary, Mrs. Sahar Ghadban, and Second Secretary, Mrs. Sylvie Michaux.

President Aoun thanked Ambassador Chastoni for the efforts she made during her stay in Lebanon to strengthen Lebanese-Canadian relations and develop them in all fields, and wished her success in her new assignments.

The meeting also tackled the situation of the Lebanese community in Canada, and the role played by the Lebanese and their families in Canadian society.

Head of the Public Procurement Authority:

President Aoun received the head of the Public Procurement Authority, Dr. Jean Al-Aliyah, who swore the legal oath in accordance with the text of the seventh paragraph of Article 79 of the Public Procurement Law No. 244 dated 7/19/1921, which was published in the Official Gazette on 29/7/2021.

Oath text:

“I swear by God Almighty to perform my duties honestly, independently and faithfully, to be keen on implementing laws and regulations, and to preserve the secrets and dignity of the job”.

For his side, the President wished Dr. Al-Aliyah success in his new duties, emphasizing the importance of adopting transparency, justice and equality in everything related to the work of the Public Procurement Authority, which the law has granted wide powers and is considered one of the necessary reform achievements.​