Ceremony celebrating the start of the refurbishment work at the Land Border Control Regiments’ Training Center

Rayak Air Base hosted this morning a ceremony celebrating the start of the refurbishment work at the Land Border Control Regiments’ Training Center with the support of the International Center for Migration Policies Development (ICMPD) and thanks to the funding provided by the European Union. The ceremony was attended by Brigadier General P.S.C Khaled Tarbin who represented the Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun, the EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Mr. Johannes Hahn, the Ambassador of the European Union Ms. Christina Lassen, the Director for Migration Dialogues and Cooperation at the International Center for Migration Policies Development Mr. Martjin Pluim and representatives of international organization, Embassies in addition to the representatives of ministries, agencies and units involved in border control as well as officers from the LAF and other security agencies.
The ceremony was initiated with the Lebanese national anthem and the anthem of the European Union followed by a speech delivered by Mr. Hahn in which he commended the ongoing cooperation between the European Union and Lebanon in terms of border control with the efficient participation of the Lebanese Army in the refurbishment work at the facility. He noted that security, economic development and the issue of migration come at the top of the cooperation priorities. Furthermore, Mr. Pluim also delivered a speech in which he expressed his appreciation to the Lebanese Army for the devotion in achieving this step and confirmed the European Union’s clear commitment toward Lebanon in its endeavor to guarantee security and stability. Mr. Pluim added that the ICMPD is seeking to provide additional support in the future in a way that ensures border control to a large extent and prevents the infiltration of terrorists and illegal migration. In his turn, Brigadier General P.S.C Tarbin delivered a speech where he expressed his appreciation to the European Union for the continuous support provided to the Lebanese Army and the Lebanese Security Agencies. He stressed that this qualitative achievement in the journey of cooperation between the Lebanese Army and the European Union, with the close follow up of the International Center for Migration Policies Development constitutes an advanced step in the path of rendering the project of the integrated management of the Lebanese border control a success. Thus, these steps support the Army’s continuous efforts in fighting terrorism and keeping Lebanon’s stability at this stage. Brigadier General P.S.C Tarbin hoped that this cooperation continues with enthusiasm and momentum in the coming stages in a way that serves the interests of Lebanon and the European States.