Beirut: World Book Capital for 2009

Beirut became Saturday the World Book Capital for 2009, running under the Unesco cultural activities in the presence of senior leaders.

•     Some 250 activities related to the book, publishing, how to encourage children and young people in reading are scheduled until April 2010.
  
      The Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, who attended the inauguration of this event, took the opportunity to appeal to all Lebanese political players to agree and dialogue.
  
      “Lebanon needs its children to understand and agree to immune it against disorder,” he said.
  
      Legislative elections are scheduled for June 7 in the country. The electoral battle is concentrated between the candidates of the parliamentary majority (anti-Syrian) backed by Washington and Riyadh and the minority led by the Shiite Hezbollah and supported by Damascus and Tehran.
  
      As for the Lebanese President Michel Sleimane, appointed head of the state in May 2008, he felt that Lebanon should remain a center of influence for the civilization and humanity.
  
      The event was launched at the Palais de l'Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in Beirut, in the presence of the Director General of the UN organization, Koichiro Matsuura, the President of the Lebanese parliament Nebih Berri and head of government Fouad Siniora.
  
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.