When Prime Minister Najib Mikati appointed me to head the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, his instructions were clear-cut and well-defined: all efforts should be exerted towards setting up a productive dialogue with our Palestinian brethren while seeking to improve their living conditions as stipulated by the Ministerial Declaration that resumed a policy primarily established by former PMs Fouad Siniora and Saad Hariri. This policy will allow all stakeholders to introduce a renovating environment where the pleas and aspirations of the Palestinian refugees residing in Lebanon would be considered in a way to safeguard their legitimate interests as well as those of their fellow Lebanese brethren in upholding their sovereignty and Rule of Law.      

Along with Lebanese and Palestinian issues, the Government’s policy and LPDC’s action cover the relationship with the international community and other brotherly and friendly countries within the framework of a partnership that I hope will be effective in meeting noble goals. Fulfilling some of the latters at the onset or at an early stage will be an indicator of a progress that should be accelerated to go from a stage of examination and study to implementation. 

Although realizing, at the very beginning of my mandate, that Lebanese, Palestinians and international community members are jointly facing a daunting challenge, my optimism is sustained by the explicit concern of both President Michel Sleiman and Speaker Nabih Berry and the determination of PM Mikati and his cabinet to change the conditions we all aspire to change and improve in all fields. 

Ambassador Abdel Majid Kassir

LPDC President