Khoja Meets Political Leadership in Farewell Tour
Former Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Abdul Aziz Khoja paid Thursday a farewell visit to President Michel Suleiman, among other public figures.
In Baabda Palace, Suleiman awarded Khoja with the National Cedar Medal, Order of the Grand Officer and thanked him for his "efforts as ambassador to resolve a number of (urgent political) issues" in Lebanon.
Khoja, who was appointed information and culture minister last month, said he will always "carry the deepest respect and affection for Lebanon."
The Saudi official also met with MP Walid Jumblat in Clemenceau. Jumblat praised Khoja for "not taking sides (during Lebanon”s political impasse) and for supporting (state) legitimacy, justice and the Taef accord."
Jumblat expressed hope that Saudi efforts to "achieve Arab unity will affect Lebanon allowing us to hold (legislative) elections" without tension.
In Bkirki, Khoja praised Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir for his "role on the national level… and called on politicians and all Lebanese to unite around their homeland in order to become deserving" of it.
For his part, MP Saad Hariri said "what joins Lebanon and Saudi Arabia goes beyond politics," during a dinner banquet Wednesday night held in Khoja”s honor.
Hariri called on the Lebanese politicians to "gather around the state … support the president and provide the necessary atmosphere for free elections."