Lebanon - France - French Artist Bestows 'Unity' On Lebanon
Nishee
President Emile Lahoud received a marble mosaic entitled “Unity” from
French painter Alain Leyaouanc on Monday.
The gesture coincided with Independence Day celebrations and with the
commemoration of Lahoud’s second year in office.
Leyaouanc said the mosaic expressed his admiration for the people who liberated
their land through unity and solidarity. And he added that the Lebanese will
always be an example of peoples’ attachment to their land.
Lahoud said Leyaouanc’s gift personified the historic ties between France and
Lebanon.
The president decorated Leyaouanc with the Order of Merit in recognition of his
artistic efforts and initiatives toward Lebanon.
The 16 square-meter mosaic, which will be displayed at the entrance to the
Presidential Palace, weighs 1,000 kilograms.
According to Leyaouanc the white, gray, black, blue, red, and pink marble from
Belgium, Italy, Yugoslavia, France, and Portugal symbolized victory.
Public Works and Transport Minister Najib Mikati said Monday that the Lebanese
must maintain dialogue in order to safeguard the liberation of the South.
“Reinforcing unity can only take place through implementing several means,”
he said, “the main one being continuous dialogue among Lebanese on worrisome
issues.”
He added that “this dialogue must be based on national accord, because the
future of Lebanon’s people, territories, and institutions is subject to this
accord, namely in regard to matters on which they disagree.”
Mikati said that the 57th anniversary of Lebanon’s independence had more
significance than usual because the formerly occupied South would be able to
join in the festivities for the first time since 1978.
He said that it was the responsibility of the country to safeguard the
liberation.
“Our biggest mission currently,” the minister said, “is to protect and
shield the liberation, although it is incomplete because the Shebaa Farms
remain under occupation and our prisoners remain jailed.”
Mikati said this could only take place through the unity of the Lebanese
people.
He said the fact that the biggest part of the liberation was concluded would
allow the government to devote more time and effort to the economic problems
and “big challenges” that lie ahead.