Yemeni-Lebanese Relations, Exemplary [Archives:2000/25/Interview]

Yemeni-Lebanese relations are viewed as a good example of inter-Arab relations. Yemen has always supported Lebanon at various international forums especially in relation to the Israeli aggression embodied by the occupation of southern Lebanon till it was liberated at the hands of the Lebanese peoples resistance. The Israeli occupation forces were forced to pull out of southern Lebanon under the continuously effective blows dealt by the Lebanese National Resistance and that is considered a great victory realized by the Lebanese people and a humiliating defeat for the Israeli aggression.
In an interview with the Lebanese ambassador to Yemen on the expiry of his term of office in Sanaa, Ismael Al-Ghabri from the Yemen Times filed the following report:
Asked how he would assess Yemeni-Lebanese relations, the ambassador responded first by thanking the Yemen Times, represented by its founder the late Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf for taking the initiative interview him right from the first time he was posted to Yemen five years ago. On the newspaper’s founder the outgoing Lebanese ambassador Hassan Beru said he was a courageous man and advocate of human rights. He was among the very few persons in Yemen possessing enlightened cultural views, ambassador Beru added. Regarding the Yemeni-Lebanese ties the ambassador described them as very excellent and developing continuously, citing the Lebanese representation in Yemen’s Unification Day celebrations on May 22. He also spoke of the recently held Lebanese week in Yemen in addition to the distinguishing relations of the two countries represented by the Lebanese-Yemeni joint committee that held its latest meeting in Beirut last year. He said that in general the Lebanese ties with Yemen were based on joint hopes and goals.
In response to a question on his impressions about Yemen during his term of office here, Mr. Beru said the time of his work in Yemen was one of the beautiful periods in his life for he had never felt he was living in another country but rather felt as at home. ” Yemen is the country of civilization and history and enchanting sights, and that of beautiful weather.” Besides, I have visited Hadramout and Socotra island and witnessed two democratic experiments, the first was the parliamentary elections in 1997 and the presidential elections in 1999. These two democratic events represent and confirm that Yemen is the country of wisdom, faith and shoura, hoping for the people of Yemen ever progress and prosperity.” said ambassador Beru. On his personal impressions he said he had established close relations with all official and non-official activities, expressing due respect for the hospitality and generosity of the Yemeni people and extending his thanks to all the friends and the people whom he had worked with during his stay in the country.
Ambassador Beru told Yemen Times interviewer that he was leaving Yemen for the United Arab Emirates as his country’s ambassador.
Responding to a question on how the Lebanese people have liberated the southern part of his country from the Israeli occupation, the ambassador said that the fact is that Israel would not give back anyone’s right unless it was forced to do that. There must be many ways for regaining those rights and wrung out by force, among those ways is the legitimate resistance. Mr. Beru added that the Arabs have to benefit from and learn this great Lebanese lesson. It should be an object of pride for every Arab and all nations. ” I feel proud of what the Lebanese people and the national resistance have achieved in their victory over the Israeli enemy. All the Arabs represent one nation and share the same dignity and any victory in any part of the Arab world is a victory for all of us.” ambassador Beru concluded.



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