On the 5th of September 2006, the Polish Chamber of Commerce and “Foreign Markets” Magazine organized a Seminar on the Reconstruction projects in Lebanon and the possibility for the Polish companies to participate in these projects. The main speakers at the Seminar were the Ambassador of Lebanon Mr. Massoud Maalouf, the former Polish Ambassador to Lebanon Mr. Waldemar Markiewicz and Mr. Leszek Walczuk, the Head of the Committee for Cooperation with the Arab Countries in the Polish Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Andrzej Arendarski, President of the Polish Chamber of Commerce opened the Seminar and Mrs. Marzena Zielińska-Schemaly was the moderator.
The Seminar was attended by many Polish enterprises and it was very well covered by the Polish media.
In his presentation, Ambassador Maalouf spoke of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and the magnitude of the destruction it inflicted on the civilian infrastructure. He then encouraged the Polish business community to participate in the reconstruction projects in Lebanon, and he underlined the potential for business and commercial relations between Lebanon and Poland.
Ambassador Markiewicz commented on the positive business environment available in Lebanon, stressing the fact that Lebanon enjoys the same freedoms as any European country and that business can be done in US dollars as well as in Lebanese Lira.
Mr. Walczuk’s presentation focused on the importance of the Lebanese market as a gateway to the Gulf and other Arab countries.
The presentations were followed by a “Question and Answer” session which showed the interest of Polish companies in exploring the potentialities of the Lebanese market.
Ambassador Maalouf closed the meeting, thanking the Chamber of Commerce, “Foreign Markets” and all the participants for their interest in Lebanon.

Polish Humanitarian Organisation
Szpitalna Street 5/3
00-031 Warsaw                                                                            Warsaw, August 2006.

PHO reconnaissance mission to Lebanon
4-10 August 2006

   Ongoing military conflict which resulted in about 900 000 Internaly Displaced People (IDP) made Polish Humanitarian Organisation focused on humanitarian situation in Lebanon. From 4th to 10th of August 2006 Polish Humanitarian Organisation conducted reconnaissance mission to Lebanon. The main goal of this mission was to assess needs of affected people, but also to provide emergency relief by buying and distributing relief products.

IDP’s camp in Amchit – PHO provided aid there

   PHO activity focused on Jbeil region (Mohafaza: Mont Liban, Kadaa: Jbeil), where more than 21.000 IDP’s has been located in schools (and other public buildings) and in families. Exept PHO there were no other foreign or international organization present in the area. Most of the foreign and international NGOs focused on Beirut and its area. However the majority of IDP took shelters in northern Lebanon, which seemed to be safer.

Mother and her child in Amchit IDP’s camp

   Emergency relief for IDP was carried out in parallel with the assessment, in close cooperation with Salesians Don Bosco. People in 12 IDP’s centers (located in public buildings most of which were schools) and 8 locations in families received from PHO (supported by Salesians) aid. In total 293 families (more than 1.100 people) were helped (for instance IDP’s camps in: Jbeil, Fidar, Hboub, Amchit, Ehmej, Annaya, Halat, Kartaboun, Kfarmassoun, Mastita, Jouret Bedran and Mar Yousef).

Child in Don Bosco School in Hossoun

   Relief packets consisted from: – kitchen kits (pots, gas stoves, etc.), – hygene kits (detergents, washing powders, dish-washer detergents), – personal hygene kits (soaps, shampoos, sanitary towels, towels), – children kits (toys, notebooks, pens, chalks, etc.), – baby kits (diapers, moistened napkins, milk, toys, etc.), – other relief items such as: buckets, bowls, basins, dishes, mattresses, blankets, sheets, pillows, medicaments etc.

One of the IDP with his son in Hossoun

   The aid was different in different location and it was adapted to the IDP’s situation. Total value of help provided by PHO is 53.000 USD. Changing political situation and ongoing truce made most of the IDP come back to their homes. PHO by its partners – Salesians Don Bosco – is making an assessment on the south to adapt aid to the new conditions. The current data showes that there are severe damages in infrastructure in the south. After people came back to their houses they are still suffering, because the lack of water. Water-sanitation sector is the one in which PHO wants to specialize, that is why PHO will try to provide emergency relief in this sector. The aid is still in progress.

wer. Polish

By His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP
Primate, Antochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, July 31, 2006

Cana (modern spelling is “Qana”) is a little village in South Lebanon which was blessed by the presence of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, his Holy Mother and his disciples. Cana is the village where Christ performed his first miracle by changing the water into wine at the marriage feast. ( John 2: 1-11). Thus, Cana is deeply rooted in our Christian history.

Unfortunately, in modern times and due to the conflict between Israel and Arab nations, including Lebanon, Cana has been the victim of Israeli aggression twice: once in April 1996, when an Israeli rocket killed 105 Lebanese men, women and children. And second, on Sunday morning, July 30, 2006, when an Israeli rocket killed 60 people, including 37 children. This indiscriminate killing is against the Geneva Convention, the United Nations Charter and all laws of civilized nations.

This savage war is between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon has no air force, no navy and no large military force.

As a matter of fact, the Lebanese army is not involved in this war at all. This war, then, is between Israel and Hezbollah. Why is Israel bombing Lebanese cities, villages, bridges, roads and killing innocent men, women and children – in the south and north, east and west of Lebanon? According to UN statistics, more than 800 civilians have been killed, many of them children, and more than 800,000 Lebanese have been made refugees in their own country. Israel knows very well where Hezbollah is. Why doesn’t Israel fight Hezbollah on its own turf? Why is Israel bombing civilian cars, motorcycles and pickup trucks carrying food for hungry people and medical supplies for the wounded? Lebanon is a poor country; the devastated infrastructure will cost billions of dollars to rebuild.

We deplore the killing and destruction on both sides. We know that Hezbollah has some weapons which are causing some unfortunate killing and destruction in Israel. But Hezbollah does not have American weapons such F-16s, F-15s, Apaches and smart bombs, etc…

When I saw the Lebanese Red Cross retrieving the tender dead bodies of little children from underneath the rubble and I looked at their innocent faces and iconic eyes, I wept. I was indeed ashamed to see the extent of the cruelty and barbarism of our world. This morning, when the Lebanese Broadcasting Company showed pictures of the city of B’int-Jbeil which was completely leveled by the Israeli air force, I was reminded of the destruction of Stalingrad and Berlin during the Second World War. We and the whole world, with the exception of the United States, Great Britain, and Israel, are calling for an immediate cease fire. If we allow the law of the jungle to prevail, and if we allow our moral principles to be trodden on by barbarian feet, what will be left of our civilization?

The behavior of Mr. Ehud Olmert in this war reminds me of the behavior of his ancestor of old, Joshua, recorded in the Book of Joshua 6:21. “And they (Joshua’s army) destroyed all that was in the city (Jericho) both man and woman, both young and old, and ox, and sheep and ass with the edge of the sword.” Thanks to Mr. Olmert, nothing is left in B’int- Jbeil except some starving dogs feeding on corpses.

Wersja polska

www.help.lebanon.pl

On the occasion of the Third Anniversary of the French speaking monthly magazine “Les Echos De Pologne”, the Ambassador of Lebanon Mr. Massoud Maalouf and the Director of the Magazine Ms. Virginie Memeteau organized a reception in the Ambassador’s residence on 11 May 2006.

Guests included Ambassadors accredited to Poland, dignitaries representing the Polish political, economic, academic and social fields, as well as members of the Lebanese community and many friends of the embassy and the magazine.

The Lebanese Embassy was honored by the presence of Senator Piotr Boroń at this reception.

The Lebanese specialties served at the reception were offered by the Lebanese restaurants “Le Cedre” and “Samira”.

On the program of this reception was a lottery with prices including dinners at the two Lebanese restaurants, bottles of Lebanese wine offered by the company “Toorank”, 3 nights for a couple in the exclusive hotel “Le Regina”, a weekend for a couple in “Siedlisko Morena” Hotel on the Mazury lakes. The first prize of two round trip air tickets to Beirut offered by the Polish Airline Company “LOT” were won by Mrs. Teresa Wrześniewska.

Attached are some pictures taken during the reception.

On the occasion of Easter and the arrival of spring after the long Polish winter, the Ambassador of Lebanon Mr. Massoud Maalouf and his wife Janet hosted a casual reception in their residence on Easter Monday 2006.

The reception was attended by diplomats, Polish and Lebanese personalities, and many friends with their families. Lebanese specialties were served as well as the famous “shawarma”, prepared for the occasion by the Lebanese restaurant “Le Cedre”.

Attached are some pictures of the reception.

During the period from 6 to 16 March 2006, a team of young Lebanese footballers from the “Arab Youth Club” visited Poland.

Directed by Mr. Abdel-Nasser Bakhti and Mr. Jihad Mahjoub, the team was sponsored by the Polish Airlines Company LOT who provided free tickets and by the Polish Association of Friendship with the Children who provided the lodging in Warsaw.

The performance of the Lebanese team in Poland was the subject of great admiration thanks to the high level of the players and their team spirit. The praise that was voiced by all the spectators was unanimous.

During their stay in Warsaw, the Lebanese players were hosted by many institutions and organizations, including the two Lebanese restaurants in Warsaw “Le Cedre” and “Samira”.

The Embassy of Lebanon organized a reception in honor of the team at the residence of the Ambassador Mr. Massoud Maalouf, which was attended by the sponsors and many Lebanese personalities. During the reception, Ambassador Maalouf praised the team for its exceptional performance, and thanked the sponsors for their generosity and their commitment to help children.

Attached are some movie pictures taken during the reception.