$44 Million Saudi Aid Package for Education
After meeting with Saudi Arabian Ambassador Abdul Aziz Khoja on Saturday, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said the kingdom had offered an aid package worth 44 million US dollars to cover tuition fees and books for all students registered in public schools for the 2008-2009 academic year. Siniora thanked Saudi Arabia for its aid, and its ongoing support for Lebanon’s security, economy and development.
During the press conference at the Grand Serail, Siniora said that the amount would be divided three ways: 20 million would cover public school tuition fees for kindergarten to grade 9 students; 20 million would purchase educational books; and 4 million would be directed to the National Committee to Support Public Schools.
Siniora said that various Saudi aid packages had helped Lebanon achieve financial stability. He said that Saudi Arabian support had intensified following the 2006 July War, and that it had contributed in the subsequent reconstruction process.
Siniora thanked Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and his citizens for their ongoing support of Lebanon, and thanked Khoja who facilitated the aid “which is an aspect of Saudi Arabia’s policy of supporting the Lebanese.”
“If anyone is trying to issue accusations towards Saudi Arabia, this will not affect the firm relations that we seek to maintain at the highest level,” said Siniora, adding that he would visit Saudi Arabia and meet with King Abdullah.
Khoja said that Saudi Arabia followed the situation in Lebanon in a “brotherly and honest manner” without directly intervening in the nation’s affairs. “This is beneficial, and we encourage it. It helps Lebanon regain its stability, since it is the gateway to the Arab world,” he said.
Khoja said that his country would not interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs but “happily” followed current attempts at reconciliation. Khoja rejected suggestions that he would be replaced, adding that the kingdom determined these matters and had not yet made such a decision.
Education Minister Bahia Hariri wished good luck to students for the coming academic year, and said that she hoped it would be “successful and fruitful.” She called on all parents who had already registered their children in public schools to reclaim fees they had paid.