MAKARY AT THE LAUNCHING OF THE ‘RASHAYA TOURISM SEASON’: WE BELIEVE IN LEBANON’S COEXISTENCE THAT SUPPORTS HUMANITARIAN ISSUES

Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad al-Makary, and member of the 'Democratic Gathering' parliamentary bloc, MP Wael Abu Faour, patronized on Sunday the 'Day of Media Professionals and Artists in Rashaya Al-Wadi,' at the invitation of the 'Environmental Gathering Association" in the Rashaya District, in partnership with the Rashaya Municipality and the Union of Municipalities of Jabal Al-Sheikh, on the occasion of launching the Tourism Activities Committee's events for the year 2024. The day's functions began with a breakfast including Rashaya local products at the Association's headquarters in New Rashaya. Later, the media professionals participating in the day's activities received souvenirs offered by the Association. Afterwards, the media delegation toured the archaeological market of Rashaya, and then moved to the "Church of Our Lady" in Rashaya, where they were received by the parish priest, Father Ibrahim Saad, and a crowd of parishioners. In a welcoming word, MP Abu Faour thanked the Minister of Information for honoring his hometown with this visit in response to the invitation of the Environmental Gathering Association in the Rashaya district. He said: "Despite the tragedy and suffering that we are witnessing in Palestine and in southern Lebanon as a result of the Israeli attacks, the will to live, survive, continue and challenge remains stronger, because what we are doing today is an act of defiance so that the people of these regions remain in their land. We are in an area close to the south...and therefore the steadfastness of the people on this land is in itself resistance and a will to live, thrive and persist..." In turn, Minister Makary thanked MP Abu Faour, the Association and the Rashaya dignitaries for their warm welcome, saying: "I came from Ehden to Rashaya, and I felt like I was in my town because we resemble each other in many things despite the geographical distance, for we believe in one Lebanon, a free, independent Lebanon that supports humanitarian issues such as the Palestinian cause..." He added: "Coming to Rashaya in these circumstances is not a passing matter. On the contrary, it involves a return to the roots of history because independence started from here and Lebanon was founded from here, from the Rashaya prison, from a prison far from Rashaya about 100 kilometers....The Lebanese, in difficulties, are called to the roots deeply connected in the people of this region, its history, traditions and customs." Makary thanked the Association for its 'efforts and work to declare Rashaya a model and green area similar to ancient Lebanon," and called on the youth to "visit Rashaya and its citadel to know that beautiful Lebanon was founded from this region." He also thanked the media professionals and artists, and encouraged them to "exert efforts to reflect a better image of Lebanon and the summer tourism season." Makary called on hundreds of thousands of expatriates, including Lebanese, Arabs and various tourists, to visit Lebanon. "This is the role of the positive media and we are all one family," he said, adding, "This day is historic in Lebanese media.' Source: National news agency - Lebanon