News from Beirut August 7  1998 ...Search Lebanon.com

Gabon President arrives in Beirut for an official visit

The President of Gabon this morning arrived in Beirut for a three-day state visit accompanied by his wife and a delegation of ministers and high-ranking officials in the republic. He was received at Beirut's International Airport by President Elias Al-Hrawi and First Lady Mona, House Speaker Nabih Berri, Transportation Minister Omar Miskawi representing Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri and a number of ministers and deputies. Upon his arrival, Gabon President Omar Bongo held talks with his Lebanese counterpart at Baabda. Tomorrow, he is expected to visit the site of the Qana massacre in the South. During his visit, Bongo will also meet Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri and House Speaker Nabih Berri. His talks with the Lebanese leadership are expected to center on issues related to bilateral relations and the situation of the Lebanese community in Gabon.

Hariri briefs Hrawi over Damascus talks

President Elias Al-Hrawi today received Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri at the presidential palace in Baabda. Hariri's visit was aimed at briefing the president over the outcome of a three-hour meeting the premier held yesterday with Syrian President Hafez Al-Assaad in Damascus. Prime Minister Hariri later stressed the importance of Syrian-Lebanese coordination and consultation on all levels. He added the situation in the region requires a maximum of attentiveness, stressing Lebanon and Syria will always have a joint and firm stance regarding the Middle East Peace Process.

Kuwait's information minister continues his talks in Lebanon

Kuwait's Information Minister Youssef Al-Smeit continues his four-day official visit to the country. He held an inspection tour today in the downtown area of the capital. Al-Smeit was accompanied by the president of  the board of directors at Solidere Nasser Al-Shammaa, the head of National News Agency Rafik Shlala and the Kuwaiti ambassador to Lebanon Abdel Razzak Al-Kandari. He later visited the editors' and press syndicates in Beirut.

Al-Smeit stressed the importance of press freedom in both Lebanon and Kuwait.

Israeli attacks continue on the South

The Southern villages of Zibkeen, Majdel Zoun, and Al-Mansouri were heavily bombarded early this morning by Israeli shelling. Israeli helicopters late last night carried out intensive inspection flights over the zone separating the occupied from the freed areas in the South. Sources in the South today reported intensive Israeli military activity was witnessed in the areas of Bint Jbeil and Adeisseh.

Photos of the South to be displayed in Kuwait soon

A permanent photo exhibition depicting the life of Lebanese Southerners will open in Kuwait in the coming few weeks. This was announced by Kuwaiti Information Minister Youssef Al-Smeit who is currently on an official visit to Lebanon. He added this event puts into practice a decision taken during the Arab Information Ministers Conference that was held in Algeria. The Kuwaiti official also said the exhibition would highlight the suffering of Lebanese living in the South to the Kuwaiti media.

Lebanese-Syrian youth camp opens in Jbeil's scouts city

The fourth Lebanese-Syrian scouts camp today opens in the Scouts City of Smar-Jbeil. The camp, organized by the Union of Lebanese Scouts, will last until the 15th of this month. A delegation from the union early this morning received the Syrian scouts at the Lebanese-Syrian border in Masnaa.

The head of the union, Mount Lebanon Governor Mohammed Suheil Yammout said around 500 Syrian scouts are participating in this camp.

Feyrouz will soon shine at the festival of the city of the sun, Baalback

The Baalback International Festival is one among many tourist-attraction events that are being held in the country this summer. The festival was opened on July 23rd by Radio Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart conducted by George Prêtre with the Choir Foundation of the Podium Junger Musiker.

Tomorrow, the famous singer-pianist Nina Simone will perform. But perhaps the most awaited concerts this year are those of Feyrouz. On the 14th, 15th, 16th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd of August, Feyrouz will shine at the temples of the old city along with her managing producer, Mansour Rahbani with the participation of Elias and Ziad Rahbani, her son. All those interested in the festival of the city of the sun can visit the following web site: http://www.baalbeck.org.lb for further information.


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