FM Gebran Bassil receives in his office the new Australian ambassador to Lebanon Rebekah Grindlay 

New Australian envoy tells FM Gebran Bassil ties between their countries will strengthen

“I look forward to working with you to further develop our bilateral ties.” new Australian Ambassador to Lebanon Rebekah Grindlay to Lebanon’s FM Gebran Bassil.

Nov. 5- 2018

(Translation appears in Arabic section)

Sydney - M. E. Times Int'l: Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Marise Payne has announced the appointment of Ms Rebekah Grindlay as the next ambassador to Lebanon. She replaces Glenn Miles who has served in that role since 2015. Ms Grindlay is a career diplomat.

She served as Deputy Head of Mission in Islamabad and Second Secretary at Australia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, New York. She also worked for the US Congress as Energy and Security Adviser. In Canberra she has served as Acting Assistant Secretary, Middle East Branch, DFAT; Head, International Energy Taskforce, DFAT; Director, Resources and Energy Section, DFAT; and Director, United Nations Security Council Taskforce, DFAT. The "Middle East Times International" would like to congratulate Ms Grindlay on her appointment and wishes her all the best in her future endeavours.

NEW Australian Ambassador to Lebanon Rebekah Grindlay has had her first meeting in Lebanon with H.E Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil when she presented her diplomatic credentials to him. “I look forward to working with you to further develop our bilateral ties,” she told him.

She said she was “very excited” to have arrived in Lebanon and was aware of the good work that her predecessor had done. She also said Australia extends its commitment to ensure a brighter and safer future for all vulnerable Syrian refugees and Lebanese communities.

“Australia is proud to partner with UNICEF Lebanon to ensure girls like Marah, a Syrian refugee living in Lebanon, can attend school,” she said. Ms Grindlay said Australia stands with all girls as they take their place as future leaders and innovators.

In announcing the appointment earlier, Senator Payne said Australia and Lebanon share longstanding and warm relations underpinned by strong community and cultural links. “Australians of Lebanese descent make a valuable contribution to modern Australia,” the minister said. “The Australian Government is a strong advocate of Lebanon's sovereignty.” She pointed out that in 2016, Australia announced a three-year $220 million package for humanitarian assistance to those affected by the Syria conflict to provide shelter, food, water and sanitation, health and medical services. This includes $76 million to help refugees and host communities in neighbouring countries, including Lebanon. “Lebanon's economic development provides opportunities for growth in trade and commercial ties,” Senator Payne said. She added that a prospective oil and gas industry and growing demand for education, infrastructure development and financial services in Lebanon present opportunities for Australian companies.