Qatar-funded Lebanese National Library opens
Lebanese President Michel Aoun inaugurated on Tuesday the $25mn Lebanese National Library in Beirut, funded by Qatar.
Qatar financed the library’s rehabilitation and development.
The opening ceremony was attended by Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad alHariri in the presence of Qatar’s ambassador to Lebanon Mohamed bin Hassan al-Jaber.
In a speech during the ceremony, President Aoun thanked His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa alThani, and the Qatari government, for the rehabilitation of the national library.
Qatar’s ambassador to Lebanon Mohamed bin Hassan alJaber, conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and his congratulations to Lebanese president, government and the people on the inauguration of the library located in the centre of the capital, Beirut, which has attracted many cultures and civilisations.
The ambassador said the city has maintained its civilisation and distinguished position it in the East, and has become a landmark, unlike any other.
Thanking General Michel Aoun for inaugurating the library, ambassador al-Jaber said that since 2006 His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, have been keen to promote the national library in Lebanon.
He noted that Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser laid the foundation stone for the National Library Revival Project on May 10, 2009.
He pointed out that the Qatari contribution to the revival of the Lebanon’s intellectual and scientific history in this project is a reflection of Qatari self-realisation on the basis of investing in human beings to preserve the their culture and history.
The ambassador said: “Our culture speaks to us and our heritage, our identity and our history determines our tomorrow ... The guidance of man and the expansion of his intellectual horizons is the basis and goal of our national vision and our approach begins with a step under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
“We, in spite of all the conditions of the siege imposed on the State of Qatar, are committed to fulfilling our commitments,” he noted.