Raji: Discussed with Canadian Side Establishment of Direct Flights Between Canada and Lebanon

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Joseph Raji met with members of the Lebanese community in Canada during a grand celebration hosted by the Lebanese Ambassador to Canada, Bachir Touq.

The minister delivered a speech on the occasion, expressing his gratitude to Canada "which opened its doors and heart to generations of Lebanese," addressing expatriates as "a Lebanese citizen before being a foreign minister," thanking them for years of exile and sacrifices and their faith in Lebanon during the hardest days.

He affirmed that "the Lebanon they did not lose hope in is the free, sovereign, independent Lebanon, where there is no weapon except the army's weapon, and no decision of war or peace except in the hands of legitimate institutions, and it is not owned by a party, sect, region, or leader," clarifying that "Lebanon does not ask anyone to abandon their principles, but there is a big difference between defending a cause and destroying your country for someone else's cause," stressing that "it is no longer acceptable for Lebanon to be the price of any cause or an arena for a war over which it has no say."

Raji said: "Many emigrants left because their right to live safely and with dignity was stolen from them," affirming that "the state decided to restore its authority and its building has begun," inviting them to "be partners in building a country whose children are not forced to leave it to live with dignity."

Raji announced that he discussed with the Canadian side the establishment of direct air flights between Canada and Lebanon and that he is determined to move forward with this project, informing them that biometric passport services will soon be available in Canada.