President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, praised the distinguished humanitarian role which the Red Cross International Committee played in countries experiencing security disturbances, and the sacrifices presented by its workers to accomplish delicate tasks.
Positions of the President came while receiving Head of the Red Cross International Committee, Mr. Christophe Martin, today at Baabda Palace, on a visit to mark the end of his tasks in Lebanon, and his transfer to Syria to assume the chairmanship of the mission.
Lebanese Red Cross President, Dr. Antoine Zoghbi, and Deputy Head of Mission, Mrs. Basma Tabaja also attended the meeting. Simone Casabianca Aeschlimann will succeed Mr. Martin in the chairmanship of the Committee.
During the meeting, President Aoun praised the efforts made by Mr. Martin during his stay in Lebanon in the past 4 years, especially in alleviating the burden of crises which Lebanon had witnessed, especially in relation to the Syrian displacement crisis, the economic and social crisis, Corona outbreak, and the Beirut Port explosion where the mission provided immediate support for relief teams, damaged hospitals, and health centers.
The President also praised the existing coordination and cooperation between the Red Cross International Committee and the Lebanese Red Cross, which contributed to the organization of relief operations and the recovery of the injured and other tasks carried out by Lebanese Red Cross volunteers.
Moreover, President Aoun wished the former chairman success in his new responsibilities, hoped that the successor will succeed in his assumed missions.
For his part, Mr. Martin thanked the President for the cooperation during his stay in Lebanon with officials, institutions, official administrations, Lebanese Red Cross, its Chairman, Dr. Zoghbi, and Secretary-General, Mr. George Kettaneh. Mr. Martin also wished that Lebanon would overcome all difficulties it is witnessing.
Finally, Mr. Martin presented the International Red Cross shield, to President Aoun, who in turn handed Mr. Martin the logo of the Presidency of the Republic as a token of appreciation and gratitude.
Source: National News Agency