Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale concluded a three-day trip to Lebanon, where he met with a broad range of government officials, including President Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Berri, Caretaker Prime Minister Diab, Prime Minister-Designate Hariri, the Governor of the Central Bank Riad Salame, and the Commander of the Armed Forces Joseph …
Read More» Celebrate democracy this 4th of July by taking the necessary steps to vote in the 2020 U.S. elections! To vote in the November 2020 elections, all overseas U.S. citizens need to have completed a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in 2020. Whether you are a first-time voter or have already received ballots and voted absentee in past elections, you must complete …
Read More» The Consular Section at U.S. Embassy Beirut has suspended non-emergency visa operations in the interest of public health safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. American Citizen Services will remain available for U.S. citizen emergency appointments. All visa appointments have been suspended until further notice. Immigrant visa appointments will be rescheduled at a later date. In the …
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Today, U.S. Embassy Beirut Deputy Chief of Mission Edward White took part in a launching ceremony with the Ministry of Culture to mark the start of an Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) project to rehabilitate the Sidon Sea Castle. The Ministry of Culture’s Directorate General of Antiquities will implement the $100,000 grant. The Sidon …
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Ambassador Elizabeth Richard and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Dr. Anne Patterson announced a new $90 million program to support learning outcomes for vulnerable students. Minister of Education Akram Chehayeb attended the launch of QITABI 2 (Quality Instruction towards Access and Basic Education Improvement) which follows onto USAID’s current QITABI initiative …
Read More» Good morning everyone. Thank you so much for being with us here today, Minister Akram Chehayeb, Director General Fadi Yaraq, and Dr. Nada Oweijane. And a warm thank you to the leadership at Uruguay Public School for having us. It was great to be greeted outside by the Scouts and so lovely to see their …
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Today, Ambassador Elizabeth Richard joined Internal Security Forces (ISF) Director General Imad Osman, and other ISF officials at the groundbreaking ceremony launching the construction of new facilities at the ISF Academy in Aramoun. The construction of a new dormitory and classroom buildings will provide short-term housing for the ISF trainees from outside of Beirut and …
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On October 29, Ambassador Elizabeth Richard visited Deir Ammar Power Station, operated by U.S. firm PrimeSouth in North Lebanon. The U.S. company has invested $75 million dollars to rehabilitate the facility and an additional $45 million in Zahrani Power Station over the past two years. Together, the power stations generate nearly half of Electricité du …
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Thank you very much Ms. Yaghi. Welcome everyone. I am pleased to be here today to celebrate two very important milestones: your graduation from an intensive 6 month course of English, and the tenth anniversary of the TWE program. Your completion of these English language courses—along with the cultural and community service activities, and exchanges …
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Today, U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Richard took part in the inauguration ceremony organized by the Ministry of Culture marking the completion of an Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation project to rehabilitate the Eshmun Temple site. In her remarks, Ambassador Richard highlighted the close collaboration between the U.S. and the Lebanese governments to preserve Lebanon’s cultural heritage. …
Read More» Remarks by Deputy Chief of Mission Edward White Good morning Minister Bassil, Bishop Khairallah, Messrs. Lahoud, Geagea, Khoury, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I am delighted to be with you here today in this beautiful region to inaugurate the Bchaaleh (B-cha’ali) rehabilitated hiking trails and to be in the presence of these spectacular olive trees. …
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Ambassador Richard Independence Day Remarks July 3, 2018 Thank you very very much everyone for being here. And I really want to specially say thank you to our National anthem singers – that was beautiful – thank you so much. I thank everyone today for joining us to celebrate American Independence Day. In particular, also …
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Ambassador Elizabeth Richard spoke on Tuesday June 12 at the Hamat Air Base on the occasion of the delivery of four A-29 Super Tucano aircrafts to the Lebanese Armed Forces. Good afternoon. General Aoun, Major General Shreim, General Haykal, our brothers and sisters in the LAF and the air force and dear guests. It is …
Read More» Thank you, Salim (Zenni- President of the American-Lebanese Chamber of Commerce), for that introduction. It is a pleasure to be here today and to support the American-Lebanese Chamber of Commerce. We have enjoyed a strong partnership with the AmCham for over twenty years. Together, we have a fruitful history of advocating for and encouraging increased …
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Deputy Chief of Mission Edward White took part in the opening ceremony of the Beirut Art Film Festival (BAFF). U.S. Embassy Beirut is supporting the screenings of six art documentaries, which highlight different aspects of U.S. culture. Screenings will occur at the Metropolis Cinema Sofil, Achrafieh and in various universities across Lebanon, from November 14, …
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Ambassador Elizabeth Richard visited two USAID-funded projects in North Lebanon on October 24 to see first-hand how USAID is helping Lebanese communities create jobs and deliver services for their residents. She visited olive orchards in Bchannine to see how farmers are using mechanical olive harvesters introduced by the USAID-funded Lebanon Industry Value Chain Initiative (LIVCD) …
Read More» Ambassador Elizabeth H. Richard joined Minister of Interior Nouhad Machnouk and Internal Security Forces (ISF) Major General Imad Osman on August 18 to announce the latest phase of U.S. Government support for Lebanon’s security and stability. The Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is funding a $5 million upgrade …
Read More» US Delivers Bradley Fighting Vehicles to the Lebanese Army Ambassador Elizabeth Richard spoke today at the delivery of Bradley Fighting Vehicles and armored field artillery ammunition supply vehicles to the Lebanese Armed Forces. Following are Ambassador Richard’s remarks as delivered: Good Morning everyone. Good Morning Brigadier General Farah and your team, it is my pleasure …
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Ambassador Elizabeth Richard with Internal Security Forces (ISF) officials and Lebanese justice officials on August 2. The United States values its strong partnership with the ISF and the Lebanese judiciary, and looks forward to continued collaboration on security and the rule of law.
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Four Seasons Hotel, Downtown Your Excellency Minister of Economy and Trade Raed Khoury, Ms. Nadine Habbal, Acting Director Insurance Control Commission, Mr. Jason Sadler, President of Cigna’s International Markets Business, Mr. Howard Gough, CEO of Cigna Middle East and North Africa, And to our many distinguished guests with us today, Thank you for allowing …
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On the occasion of the 241st anniversary of American independence, Ambassador Elizabeth H. Richard hosted a ceremony on June 30, 2017 at the Faqra archaeological site in Kfardebian. The event was attended by Lebanese officials, members of Parliament, and Embassy partners in a variety of fields including civil society, academia, development, the arts, business, and …
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On June 29, 2017, Ambassador Elizabeth Richard joined 56 bright, energetic young Lebanese scholarship winners and their families for an American-style barbeque. The students are all participants in the U.S. government’s Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. Ambassador Richard welcomed back to Lebanon 26 YES students who recently returned from the United States and said …
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Ambassador Elizabeth Richard announced that the U.S. government, through USAID, will support at least 104 new scholarships to two Lebanese Universities for the coming school year. Meeting with Presidents Dr. Fadlo Khuri of the American University of Beirut (AUB) and Dr. Joseph Jabbra of the Lebanese American University, Ambassador Richard underscored continued U.S. Government support …
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Today, Ambassador Elizabeth Richard visited the American University of Beirut (AUB) to celebrate the graduation of 44 University Scholarship Program (USP) students. Through USP, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supports talented Lebanese public school graduates with full four-year undergraduate scholarships that include tuition fees, housing expenses, medical insurance, textbooks, and a monthly …
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The Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) continues to support the Lebanese ISF’s community policing program aimed at improving law enforcement performance and relations with local communities. As part of this program, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Danny Hall participated in a launching ceremony on June 1 at the Ashrafieh police …
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Class of 2017 graduates, parents, ACS faculty and staff. ACS head of school Dr. Greg MacGilpin, Jr, Your Excellency Prime Minister Hariri, Distinguished guests. I am honored to be with you today to mark such a joyous occasion. Congratulations to all the Graduates. Today’s ceremony is the culmination of everything you have achieved as ACS …
Read More» Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, Ms. Leila Serhan, General Manager of Microsoft for North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Pakistan, And to our many talented entrepreneurs with us today, Good morning and thank you for letting me be here today to celebrate your tremendous accomplishments. I was so impressed talking with all of you this morning …
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U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Richard visited Tripoli on Wednesday, May 3 to discuss the major issues concerning the citizens of Lebanon’s second largest city and to convey a message of strong U.S. support for efforts of these citizens to improve conditions for the residents of Tripoli. In the course of her visit, Ambassador Richard met with …
Read More» On April 28, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Danny Hall presided over the final round of the U.S. government-funded “Bee A Good Citizen” spelling bee program organized in partnership with USPEaK. 17 students from grades 7 and 8, including Syrian refugees students enrolled in Lebanese public schools, participated in today’s final competition at the Baakline …
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The Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) has provided $650,000 in security screening equipment for the Rafiq Hariri International Airport, U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Richard announced at a handover ceremony on April 11. The handover ceremony was attended by Minister of Interior Nuhad Al Mashnouq, Director General of the Internal …
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U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Richard held a reception on March 14, to honor and showcase the positive contributions of Lebanese women in security and the rule of law, and to celebrate the dynamic, diverse, and positive roles that women play in society. The event brought together judges, prosecutors, members of the ISF, and representatives of international …
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American Deputy Chief of Mission Danny Hall inaugurated the Hayati (My Life) exhibit today at Club Minus 1 in Beirut. Speaking to a diverse audience that included NGO officials, artists, and the photographers and their families, he emphasized the importance of art in bringing people together, and the Embassy’s enthusiastic support for these kinds of …
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Good morning everyone. I am very happy to be here today for the annual Women on the Front Lines conference, as we honor the achievements of women here in Lebanon, and discuss how we can promote progress on women’s issues. I want to recognize and thank Rania Achkar, Anchor at MTV Alive and our MC …
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U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard traveled today to Marjeyoun District. In Marj El Khoukh, Ambassador Richard inaugurated a water pumping station that serves more than 61,000 individuals living in Marj El Khoukh and surrounding areas, including over 4,200 Syrian refugees. The station is part of a water project funded by the United States. Representatives …
Read More» On December 6, 2016, USAID Mission Director Dr. Anne Patterson and Minister of Tourism, Mr. Michel Pharaon, inaugurated the third National Rural Tourism Forum at Le Royal Hotel, Beirut. The forum, organized by Beyond Beirut and the USAID-funded Lebanon Industry Value Chain Development (LIVCD) project, brought together more than 100 experts and stakeholders from the …
Read More» U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Richard today celebrated the inauguration of the project to rehabilitate the Souk Marash in Bourj Hammoud, emphasizing U.S. commitment to communities most affected by the Syrian refugee crisis. U.S. funding for the rehabilitation and restoration of Souk Marash will help enhance economic activity and livelihood, boost municipal services, and revive one of …
Read More» Good morning everyone. I am very happy to be here today on this special occasion. I am happy to join all of the distinguished guests: The president of the Union of municipalities of Jezzine, Mr. Khalil Harfouch, the mayor of Roum Municipality Mr. Haddad, the mayor of Lebaa Fady Romanos, all our distinguished guests from …
Read More» On November 17, 2016, USAID Economic Growth Office Director Cybill Signer participated in the launch of the Confideo Venture Mentoring (Confideo VM) program at the Four Seasons Hotel, Beirut. This initiative falls under the Middle East and North Africa Investment Initiative (MENA II) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to help …
Read More» British Ambassador to Lebanon Hugo Shorter and United States Chargé d’Affaires Danny Hall joined the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Jean Kahwaji for a meeting today about the Land Border Security Project. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the on-going UK and US support for the LAF and the border project, including …
Read More» On November 8, 2016, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Dr. Anne Patterson attended the launching event of the Research for Results (R4R) project at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in the presence of Director General of Education and Higher Education Fadi Yarak, Head of the Department for International …
Read More» Good afternoon and welcome to our guests. Thank you for joining us today to remember the sacrifice of so many brave men and women. Thirty three years ago, on October 23, 1983, 241 American marines, sailors, and soldiers died and 128 were wounded when a suicide bomber attacked the U.S. Marine Corps barracks here in …
Read More» Major General Darsie Rogers, Commander for Special Operations Command Central Command is visiting Lebanon September 21-23 to observe U.S. forces partnering with Lebanese Armed Forces and to meet with Lebanese military leaders. MG Rogers’ visit highlights the ongoing professional relationship between U.S. forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces and especially the strong degree of training …
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U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Richard visited Tripoli on September 18 to participate in a graduation ceremony for 450 participants of the Teaching Women English (TWE) program. The TWE program provides women in rural areas with the opportunity to learn English and become active citizens in their communities, promoting the values of tolerance, moderation, and economic opportunity. …
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