During his recent visit to Lebanon, Prince Al-Walid bin Talal bin Abdelaziz Al Saud, CEO of the Kingdom Holding Company and president of the Al-Walid bin Talal Humanitarian Foundation in Beirut, reaffirmed his support for our country in all spheres. His inauguration of cultural and economic projects, in addition to his contributions in the social domain, is ample demonstration of that. Al-Manar University
In Tripoli, Lebanon's second city, Prince Al-Walid, accompanied by Mrs. Leila Solh Hamad, vice-president of the Al-Walid Foundation, was received by MP and former Prime Minister Omar Karami as well as by notables of the region and religious dignitaries. Accompanied by former Premier Karami, the prince laid the cornerstone of the auditorium of the Al-Manar University, the cost of which is estimated at one million dollars, and which is funded by the Al-Walid Foundation.
Karami thanked Prince Al-Walid, who said that cooperation would continue between his foundation and Tripoli. Together they visited the Rashid Karami International Forum, where they reviewed the planned 'T.O.B.D.' tourism city.
Laying the cornerstone of the Riad Solh Museum in Sidon
Visiting Sidon, capital of South Lebanon and home city of his grandfather, Riad Solh, Prince Al-Walid was welcomed by Dr. Michel Moussa, acting minister of the environment; MPs Ossama Saad, Georges Najm, Ali Osseiran, Hani Kobeissi, director of the office in Mseileh of Speaker Nabih Berri; Riad Assaad, president of the South Construction Company; Dr. Abdelrahman Bizri, mayor of Sidon; as well as by religious dignitaries and local notables.
After the playing of the national anthem, Dr. Bizri underlined the role played by the late Prime Minister Riad Solh, one of the fathers of independent Lebanon, "who distinguished himself as the torch-bearer of right and of good for the Arab peoples". He lauded Prince Al-Walid's initiative to deal with Sidon's environmental problems.
In an improvised address, the prince thanked the personalities for their welcome. He added that he would take whatever steps were necessary to eliminate the rubbish dump that threatened the health of Sidonians. Then Leila Solh Hamad, Dr. Bizri and Engineer Riad Assaad signed the agreement setting up the project to eliminate the rubbish dump, under the supervision of Prince Al-Walid. The cost of the project, to be completed in five years, is estimated at five million dollars.
While in Sidon Prince Al-Walid called at the house of his grandfather Riad Solh, where he laid the cornerstone of the Riad Solh Museum, which will be a repository for archives and rare historical documents. It will also include lecture halls and facilities for students and researchers.
Partnership with Beirut clinics
Prince Al-Walid and Dr. Mustafa Ghandour signed a partnership agreement with the Consultive Clinics of Beirut which provides that the Kingdom Holding Company will subvention 40 percent of the costs of these clinics.
This investment in the health sector comes in addition to the prince's other placements in Lebanon, including the M?venpick and Four Seasons hotels, the Rotana musical company and his 49-percent holding in the LBC Sat.
Visit to Bkerki
Accompanied by Leila Solh Hamad, Prince Al-Walid called at the headquarters of the Maronite Patriarchate at Bkerki, where they were received by the patriarch, Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, the patriarchal vicar, Mgr. Roland Abou-Jaoud, and Mgr. Shukrallah Harb.
Outlining the activities of the Al-Walid bin Talal Humanitarian Foundation, the prince affirmed to the cardinal that its activity encompassed the whole of Lebanon and aimed to assist everyone, regardless of religious affiliation. After a private conversation with the patriarch, the prince presented the Patriarchate with a donation of 400,000 dollars to restore the patriarchal library. Any funds left over would be devoted to charitable projects undertaken by the Patriarchate. Cardinal Sfeir present Prince Al-Walid with a book on the Patriarchate written by Father Awit. The prince and Mrs. Solh Hamad were the patriarch's guests for lunch. Replying to journalists' questions, Prince Al-Walid indicated that his visit was one of the approaches he was making to senior figures in Lebanon, Patriarch Sfeir being at the apex of the pyramid. "Our aspirations", he said, "consist in serving Lebanon through our foundation".
Speaking of the difficult economic and political situation, the prince said it was necessary for everyone to work together if solutions were to be found. "We hope that with the extension of the presidential term, certain persons will accept the reality of the situation so that President Lahoud can achieve what he could not achieve during the first six years of his mandate", he said.
AWTTE's guest of honor
As the largest Arab investor in the hotel and tourism sectors, Prince Al-Walid was guest of honor at the Arab-International Travel and Tourism Forum (AWTTE), which was opened at the Biel Center by President Lahoud and organized by the Tourism Ministry and the Economy and Business Affairs Group, in cooperation with Middle East Airlines, Lebanon's flag carrier.
In his speech President Lahoud stressed that stability in Lebanon was encouraging investors and noted the importance of economic stability. The head of state praised the support given by Prince Al-Walid to Lebanon, his second homeland.
For his part, the prince expressed his backing for President Lahoud, speaking of his "probity and wise policies", adding, "During your watch, most of the Lebanese territory occupied by the Israelis has been liberated". The prince noted the importance of implementing the commitments made in the president's inaugural address, in particular the one calling for the building of a state of law and institution and for an end to corruption.
Broaching the subject of the tourism sector in Lebanon, Prince Al-Walid spoke of his project to build a Fairmont hotel in Beirut in addition to the two hotels he has already opened: the M?venpick and Four Seasons.
President Lahoud then presented the prince with the prize of the Forum.
Queried on the situation in Lebanon, Prince Al-Walid regretted the absence of a comprehensive plan aimed at reviving the economy, and he appealed to the three senior state officials -- the president, parliamentary speaker and prime minister -- to cooperate for the common good.
© Monday Morning 2004
