Berri Discusses Bekaa Development and Diaspora Affairs in Separate Meetings

House Speaker Nabih Berri received a delegation from the "Bekaa: Development and Belonging" Gathering on Monday at the Second Presidency headquarters in Ain el-Tineh. The delegation included the Mufti of Zahle and the Bekaa, Dr. Sheikh Ali Al-Ghazawi; the Mufti of Baalbek-Hermel, Sheikh Bakr Al-Rifai; Archimandrite Elie Bou Chaaya; Judge Dr. Sheikh Daniel Saeed; former Deputy Speaker Elie Ferzli; and MPs Hassan Mourad, Kabalan Kabalan, Wael Abou Faour and Salim Aoun, among other religious, political and business figures from the Bekaa region.

The delegation briefed Berri on the objectives of the Bekaa Development Gathering and on the discussions and recommendations that emerged from a conference held at Al-Azhar Al-Bekaa. Talks also covered a number of developmental issues facing Lebanon generally and the Bekaa specifically, including the importance of the Dahr Al-Baidar tunnel for connectivity between the Bekaa and other parts of the country, and the completion of the Arab Highway and its potential to stimulate economic activity.

Meeting on Diaspora Affairs

Separately, Berri received the President of the African Continental Council of the World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU), Consul Hassan Yahfoufi, along with council members, in the presence of Ali Hayek, head of the Amal Movement's Central Foreign Relations Office. The discussion focused on general developments affecting Lebanese expatriate communities, particularly in Africa, and the role of the diaspora at the current stage. The two sides also discussed the council's work programs and preparations for its general conference, scheduled for December.