11 July 2016 – Dutch Ambassador to Lebanon Hester Somsen hosted a farewell luncheon in honor of Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz in the former’s official residence last June 28.
In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Somsen congratulated Ambassador Ruiz for the Philippine Embassy’s initiatives to enhance and deepen people-to-people links with Lebanon and also highlighted the bond of camaraderie and friendship she had shared with Ambassador Ruiz and with the other female Ambassadors accredited to Lebanon.
In her brief reply, Ambassador Ruiz thanked Ambassador Somsen for taking the initiative of gathering a distinguished group of diplomatic colleagues and guests so she could bid them one last farewell. She also highlighted the fact that the Philippines and Lebanon will be celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations on October 24.
In attendance were Ambassador Mira Daher Violides, Director of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants (MFAE); Mona Afeiche Chouieri, former Minister of State; Nayla Moawad, former MP and Minister of Social Affairs and also the widow of former President Rene Moawad; Ms. Scarlett Haddad, political analyst and writer of Lebanon’s French newspaper L’Orient-Le Jour; Ambassador of Norway Lena Natasha Lind; Canadian Ambassador Michelle Cameron; Ambassador of Venezuelan Zoed Karam D.; Ambassador of Colombia Georgine Mallat; Ambassador of Austria Ursula Fahringer; Ambassador of Uruguay Dr. Marta Inez Pizzanelli; UNICEF Lebanon Representative Ms. Tanya Chapuisat; and UNHCR Lebanon Representative Ms. Mireille Girard. END