Rashaya Citadel Gearing up for Suleiman’s Visit

Preparations are underway in Rashaya al-Wadi and nearby towns to welcome President Michel Suleiman who is scheduled to address the nation on the eve of Lebanon’s 68th independence anniversary from the citadel of Rashaya.

Lebanese flags and banners welcoming Suleiman were hoisted at the entrances of the towns and balconies of houses.

A series of meetings were also held between the Rashaya district governor and heads of municipalities and mayors on Saturday to make the final arrangements for Suleiman’s visit.

An Nahar daily said last week that around 100 political, social and spiritual personalities are expected to attend the ceremony inside the citadel on Monday.

Rashaya al-Wadi’s head of municipality, retired Brig. Marwan Zaki said the invitation includes ministers, current and former MPs from the districts of Rashaya and the Western Bekaa, Bishops Mansour Hobeika and Elias Kfoury, Rashaya and West Bekaa Mufti Sheikh Ahmed al-Laden, Judge Sheikh Assadullah al-Hershi and Sheikh Saleh al-Qedmani.

Heads of municipalities and mayors from the two districts and Rashaya and West Bekaa district governors, respectively Nabil al-Masri and Maneh al-Meqdad, will also be attending, Zaki said.

Lebanon received its independence after French troops arrested Lebanese national leaders Beshara al-Khoury, Riad al-Solh, Pierre Gemayel, Camille Chamoun and Adel Osseiran in Rashaya.

After national and international pressure, the prisoners were released on November 22, 1943 and that day was declared the Lebanese Independence Day.