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.