Official visit to Lebanon

Topic: Report

29 January 2018

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender visited the Lebanese Republic from 29 to 31 January. The Federal President’s visit programme included talks with the country’s political leaders and meetings with representatives of the 18 religions based in Lebanon. On 30 January, the Federal President gave a speech at Lebanese University, followed by discussion with students. The Federal President also met the German contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in talks with Michel Aoun, President of the Lebanese Republic, in the Baabda Presidential Palace on the occasion of his official visit to Lebanon

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender visited the Lebanese Republic from 29 to 31 January. This was the Federal President’s first visit to Lebanon.

The Federal President’s visit programme included talks with the country’s political leaders and meetings with representatives of the 18 religions based in Lebanon. The country is highly diverse as regards society and religion, and this diversity is reflected in the structure of its government.

On 30 January, the Federal President gave a speech at Lebanese University, followed by discussion with students. The Federal President also met the German contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Prior to their visit to Lebanon, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender visited the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from 27 to 29 January.

Overview of the programme:

Monday, 29 January 2018

  • Arrival in Beirut, Lebanon
  • Baabda Presidential Palace
    Welcome with military honours by Michel Aoun, President of the Lebanese Republic,
    followed by talks
    Thereafter
    Joint press conference
    Thereafter
    Signing of the visitors’ book
  • Dinner hosted by the President of the Lebanese Republic, Michel Aoun, and Mrs Nadya Aoun
  • Sfeir-Semler Gallery
    Tour of the gallery

Tuesday, 30 January 2018

  • Port of Beirut, berth of Magdeburg corvette
    Talks with German soldiers attached to the UNIFIL mission
  • Seat of the Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic
    Welcome by Sheikh Abdul Latif Fayez Derian, Grand Mufti
    Thereafter
    Talks with representatives of the religions based in Lebanon
  • Martyrs’ Monument
    Wreath laying ceremony at the Martyrs’ Monument
  • Parliament
    Meeting with Nabib Berri, Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon
  • Council of Ministers
    Lunch with Prime Minister Saad Hariri
  • Lebanese University
    Speech to students followed by discussion
  • National Museum
    Tour of the museum
  • Villa Sursock
    Speech at a reception hosted by the Federal President and Ms Büdenbender

Wednesday, 31 January 2018

  • Flight to Berlin