Beirut, Lebanon

On Tuesday 24 October 2017, at the Beirut War Cemetery, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as guest of the Caretaker of the Commonwealth War Graves facilities, Mr Yahya Bsat, viewed Australian War Graves and laid a wreath at the base of the commemorative cenotaph.

Afterwards, at Martyrs’ Square, Beirut, the Governor-General, as guest of the Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mr Yacoub Sarraf, attended a commemorative ceremony and laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Square Statue.

Later, at the Australian Embassy, Beirut, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove attended a morning tea for Australian Embassy staff and United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) personnel, at which the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove conducted a promotion ceremony for two Australian Defence Force members of UNTSO.

Then, at Grand Serail, Beirut, the Governor-General met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lebanon, His Excellency Mr Saad Hariri.

In the afternoon, at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Beirut, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Head of IOM Office Lebanon, Mr Fawzi Al-Zioud, visited Australia’s cultural orientation programme for refugee and special humanitarian program entrants.

Afterwards, at Bourj Hammoud 2 English Public School, Beirut, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Minister for Education and Higher Education, His Excellency Mr Marwan Hamadeh, met with students benefitting from the Australian funded United National International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

In the evening, at the Australian Residence, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Ambassador to Lebanon, His Excellency Mr Glenn Miles, attended a reception in recognition of United Nations Day with Australian supported aid agencies operating in Lebanon.