Special to AG-IP News Agency

In a dialogue session on Lebanon and the conflict in the Middle East

BEIRUT –The Islamic Center of Aicha Bakkar, has organized in Beirut a panel session with HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global, founder and chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global (TAG.Global), entitled: “Lebanon and Conflict in the Middle East.”   

In his opening remarks, the Head of the Center, Eng. Ali Noureddine Assaf, welcomed Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh by saying that he he is a name that denotes an honorable history of struggle as a key Arab and international player in the fields of politics, economy, and finance.

For his part, the Head of the Cultural Committee at the Center, Dr. Mohammed Al-Nafi, gave a brief overview of Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh's life stages, saying, “We are pleased to receive today a well-known Arab personality whose creativity has no limits, and who left a mark everywhere he was present”.  

In response Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh said, "I am honored to be with you and to reiterate what I stated earlier that despite Lebanon's richness in natural resources such as gas and oil, the enemy will not allow Lebanon to become an oil-producing country”.

He continued by adding that the Israeli enemy has never respected agreements; therefore, it would not allow any of its neighbors, such as Lebanon or others, to become an oil-producing country. This is to keep all neighboring countries of Occupied Palestine poor and in need of assistance.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh further urged Lebanon to build its future without waiting or relying on the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which caused the collapse of every country that relied on it.

Referring to the Palestinian situation, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh called for contributing to achieving the Palestinians’ right of return to their homeland, and to be called “returnees” rather than “refugees”, pointing out that the Al-Aqsa Storm marks the end of refuge and the beginning of return; since it is the first time that the Palestinian people move from defense to attack.

He added: “Talk about a new Middle East and the displacement of peoples is worthless. We only call now the recognition of Palestinian national rights, ending the Zionist occupation of Palestinian and Arab land, and enabling the Palestinian people to establish their own independent state on their national soil.”

At the conclusion of the session, Eng. Assaf presented an honorary shield to Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh for his contributions and efforts in serving Lebanon and its institutions.

It is worth mentioning that the meeting was held in the presence of representative of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Eng. Jamal Krayem, the representative of the Grand Mufti of Lebanon, HE Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian, Head of the Sunni Shari'a Courts, Sheikh Mohammed Assaf, representative of the Sheikh of the Druze Community, Dr. Sami Abi Al-Mina Naji Saab, the Governor of Beirut, Judge Marwan Abboud, MPs, Mr. Neemat Frem and Mr. Waddah Sadek, Former Ministers, Dr. Khaled Kabbani and Hassan Sabeh, Secretary General of High Relief Commission, Major General Mohammed Khair, representative of the Acting Director General of Public Security, Lieutenant Colonel Elias Al-Bisri Hisham Al-Solh, the representative of the Mr. Ali Al-Amin Mr. Hassan Al-Amin, and members of the Supreme Islamic Sharia Council and social, judicial, cultural and civil figures.