24 May 2012
BSHARRI, Lebanon: Barry O’Farrell, the premier of New South Wales, Australia met Wednesday with the mayor and municipal council of Bsharri and highlighted the important role that Lebanese expatriates play in Australia.
Bsharri Mayor Antoine Khoury Tawq and members of the town’s municipal council received O’Farrell, who was accompanied by three Australian MPs of Lebanese origin and Australia’s envoy to Lebanon Lex Bartlem.
Tawq gave a speech welcoming the delegation and expressing his appreciation for the Australian Embassy and government for assisting the Lebanese expatriate community in Australia.
Tawq added that the annual visits made by the Australian ambassador to Bsharri confirm the close relationship between the two countries.
For his part, O’Farrell thanked the municipality and residents of Bsharri for their welcome and hailed the leading role of Lebanese expatriates in Australia in strengthening economic life, as well as the large role they play in a number of other fields. He added that Lebanese expatriates are known for their loyalty and love of their second country, Australia.
After the delegation attended a country-style lunch, Tawq handed O’Farrell a key to the town of Bsharri, placed in a box made of cedar wood.
During their stay in Bsharri, the delegation also visited the Gibran National Museum and, following an extensive tour, gifts and souvenir paintings were presented to O’Farrell and members of his delegation.
Copyright The Daily Star 2012.
