Caretaker Information Minister Ziad Al-Makary visited today the offices of the KPN Platform and Dream FM Radio Station, at the invitation of MP Adib Abdel-Massih in the presence of MP Tony Franjieh, the Platform’s General Manager Jimmy Saba, the Radio Station’s General Manager Mazen Jabbour, the Political Programs Director Michel Damaa and the work team.
Al-Makary began his visit by touring the new offices in Kfar Hazir, in the presence of journalists from the North region
Saba provided a briefing on the flow of media work within the platform and the coverage it provides in Lebanon and the North. He thanked MP Abdel-Massih for inviting the Minister of Information to visit the offices and welcomed both Makary and Franjieh, deeming their visit as a ‘doorway of support for the institution.”
In turn, Deputy Abdel-Massih stressed that “we must all cooperate for the benefit of Lebanon and society,” adding, ‘We encouraged the tourism, agricultural, educational and cultural sectors, and today we encourage the media sector, which is one of the vital sectors in Lebanon. We have an active minister, the son of a patriotic home who was raised on love of the homeland and love of the North region…The Franjieh House is also an ancient, patriotic and northern home, with which we must cooperate for the reconstruction of Lebanon.”
For his part, MP Franjieh stressed that ‘what brings us together in Lebanon is deeper than any political dispute, so we must join hands and cooperate openly to distance Lebanon from the logic of conflicts and political distress, so that we may enter a period of prosperity and be part of our Arab environment that is taking steady steps towards development and modernity.’
He added: ‘Our responsibility during the next stage is to find political conditions that allow us to be productive in accordance with the needs and aspirations of citizens. From here, we must seek to confirm the role of peace, without which we cannot relate to the logic of dialogue and understanding prevailing in the region.’
“The major countries are heading towards meeting and having dialogue, understanding, and rapprochement, while we are searching internally for any reason to divide our country at the political and sectarian levels,’ Franjieh added regretfully.
In turn, Minister Makary praised the exerted efforts of the young men and women for the sake of Lebanon, saying “Media professionals are the beacon of Lebanon and the mainstay of the success of media institutions.”
He spoke about the platform and individual initiatives that are developing in society, while regretting the destructive mentality existing within public media.
Makary hoped that a president of the republic will be elected soon, someone who will cooperate with all parties in order to build a modern country.
He concluded, “Political differences do not prevent us from coming together.”
At the end of the visit, Deputy Abdel-Massih presented an honorary shield to Minister Makary and another to the platform team as a token of appreciation for their efforts.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon