| MP Matar Opens Tripoli’s Doors to Strengthen Partnership with Australia… |
MP Matar and Ambassador Wilson **
MP Ihab Matar: “We hope our city will receive greater attention and that we can make a positive difference for Tripoli and its people.”
***
Australian Ambassador Tom Wilson: “I met five Australians in just about fifteen minutes, and I felt as though I was in Australia.”
|
MP Matar Opens Tripoli’s Doors to Strengthen Partnership with Australia…
9/10/2026
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: MP Ihab Matar (The Dynamic) organised a tour of Tripoli for Australia’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Tom Wilson, to introduce him to the city’s facilities, historic landmarks and tourist attractions.
The first stop was Matar’s office in Tripoli, where discussions covered several issues of mutual interest to the two countries.
During their meeting **
Matar, the Australian ambassador and the accompanying delegation then visited the Tripoli Citadel, toured the city’s renowned old souks, and visited the Great Mansouri Mosque, Diwan al-Nouri and the Rashid Karami International Fair. A boat tour also introduced the ambassador to the islands off the coast of El Mina.
Matar subsequently hosted a luncheon in honour of the Australian ambassador at the Silver Shore restaurant in El Mina.
Matar’s Remarks
Welcoming the Australian ambassador and guests, Matar said: “This gathering comes naturally given the Australian Embassy’s interest in northern Lebanon, particularly Tripoli. It is among the embassies that have made the most positive impact on the city through the development projects it carries out across the northern districts, particularly Minieh, Dinnieh and Tripoli, extending to Akkar.”
He added: “We welcome the Australian ambassador’s visit today, which reflects his commitment to and interest in Tripoli. His visits have become regular over the past weeks and months. We also affirm that the Australian Embassy takes an interest in the Lebanese community in Australia, and that this interest is reciprocated.”
During the tour of the old markets **
Matar continued: “The ties and connections between Lebanon and Australia are historic, and efforts are continually being made to strengthen them. We emphasise the importance of further developing this relationship.”
He concluded: “The city faces numerous challenges and problems on various fronts, and everyone is playing their part in the hope of overcoming these crises. We hope our city will receive greater attention and that we can make a positive difference for Tripoli and its people.”
Australian Ambassador in Tripoli: “I Felt as Though I Was in Australia”
Australian Ambassador Tom Wilson said: “I toured Tripoli’s old souks for the first time this morning, and it was a wonderful experience. The souks are very beautiful, but what impressed me most was, of course, the people. I met five Australians in just about fifteen minutes, and I felt as though I was in Australia.”
He added: “That really brought home to me the depth of the ties between Australia and Tripoli. As Dr Ihab said, those relations are strong and enduring.”
Wilson continued: “For more than a century, people from Tripoli and its surrounding areas have been migrating to Australia. I have noticed that some of these migrants arrived without speaking English or knowing anything about Australian society, yet they managed to succeed and build new lives for themselves and their families.”
During the Luncheon **
He added: “That impressed me greatly. This is not a story of failure, but a story of success and friendship between Australians and Lebanese.”
Wilson said: “I will be here for approximately three to four years, and I hope that during this time I can strengthen the bonds of friendship between Tripoli and Australia and help deepen their relationship further.”
The Australian ambassador concluded: “God willing, I will meet you many more times in Tripoli. I would like to thank Dr Ihab once again for hosting us today, and I thank you all.”
The luncheon was attended by MPs Ashraf Rifi, Taha Naji, Elias Khoury and Haidar Nassar; the Australian ambassador’s adviser, Ben Craig; North Lebanon Governor Iman al-Rafei; Tripoli Mayor Dr Abdel Hamid Karimeh; El Mina Mayor Abdullah Kabbara; Qalamoun Mayor Rawad Helou; Ras Maska Mayor Simon Nakhoul; the head of the Al-Fayhaa Union of Municipalities, engineer Wael Zmerli; municipal council member engineer Mustafa Fakhreddine; the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Tripoli and North Lebanon, Toufic Dabbousi; the Director of the Rashid Karami International Fair, Dr Hani Shaarani; Banque of Lebanon Director Dr Safwan Dannawi; Economic Zone Director Dr Hassan Dannawi; State Security Colonel Bassam al-Hakam; Regional Commander Brigadier General Mustafa Badran; Intelligence Director Brigadier General Haroun Siour; Major General Mohammad Kheir; the President of the Lebanese Order of Physicians, Dr Ibrahim al-Makdissi; Walid Karami; Talal Karami; Dr Yaacoub Tohme; Mohammad Traboulsi; and MP Matar’s father, Mohammad Matar, his mother, Aisha al-Chami Matar, and his brother, Bilal Matar.
|
