Come to Lebanon this summer

I wanted to give you an update regarding the Council you´ve come to love and appreciate over the last years. Recently, LIBC members met in Beirut to discuss the LIBC´s future, both short and long term. One of the decisions taken was to rearrange the LIBC structure which will last until the needs of the Council dictate that we perhaps go back to our original leadership setup. Another decision taken was to focus more of our energy this year on a special LIBC's event THE IMMIGRANTS REUNION 2012

After the success of Planet Lebanon 2010, LIBC is proud to launch 2012 special event, under the title of THE IMMIGRANTS REUNION 2012 .

THE IMMIGRANTS REUNION 2012 is the manifestation of new visions, old hopes and genuine desire for a brand new Lebanon. It is our sincere wish that through providing a place for the creation and development of Lebanese-international ties, we may play a decisive part in rebuilding our national economy, and paving the way to unprecedented heights.

I expect that this event will be parallel to a boom tourism activity in the country which will grow by a further 10 to 20 percent in 2012 in comparison to 2011.

As Lebanese, we are proud of our tradition of openness, and we certainly intend to practice what we preach. One of our most important communication tools, LIBC Web site, is always ready to play its expected outreach role, and you´ll be able to register in our event. This website in addition to E-LIBC newsletter are as popular as ever.

LIBC offices around the world are always open for suggestions. LIBC doesn´t exist in a vacuum, but through the aspirations and activities of its members and supporters. It is the collection of shared memories which make the hard work of running the Council so worthwhile for me and all those who contribute their time and efforts. Let´s have a great IMMIGRANTS REUNION 2012 together...

Warm regards,

Nassib Fawaz (Founding president LIBC)

On Monday 05/14/2012 His Beatitude Mar Bechara Peter Rai who's the head of the Maronite Catholic Church worldwide visited the Islamic Center of America and the American Muslim Center in Dearborn. During his appearances at both mosques Patriarch Rai encouraged interfaith unity between Muslims and Christians through dialogue. Religious leaders from both communities were present and echoed Patriarch Rai's message.

After visiting the mosques the patriarch attended a reception at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center in Dearborn held in his honor, where he was given special proclamations by the Consul General of Lebanon, Houssam Diab and Dr. Nassib Fawaz president of the Lebanese International Business Council.

Patriarch Rai is the first Maronite Patriarch to come from a religious order in more than 200 years. The last date was Patriarch Toubia el-Khazen (1756-1766) who was also a monk of the Mariamite Order. Tomorrow a press conference will be held in Troy, following that the patriarch will go to a luncheon at the Oakland Hills Club in Bloomfield Hills.

Download Fawaz's speech – Arabic version)

Download Fawaz's article – Arabic version)

​A delegation from the Lebanese International Expatriates Business Council chaired by Dr. Nassib Fawaz visited Baabda Presidential Palace and informed the President of the Council’s activities and the support it provides especially in the educational and social field. Dr. Fawaz also called for adopting a new election law and for resolving the participation of expatriates in the parliamentary elections.

Dr. Fawaz praised in a letter to the president that Lebanon has enacted a law that enables its Lebanese Citizens living abroad to exercise in their countries of residency their voting rights in the Lebanese parliamentary elections.

The Lebanese government has been working hard to lay the appropriate and

effective foundations for holding this unprecedented immigrant voting in the upcoming legislative election in 2013. he added

Towards this national objective, LIBC calls Lebanese immigrants to take part in this democratic process not only by voting, but also by demanding their right to choose a representative of the immigrants in the upcoming election.

Download LIBC letter to president Sleiman (Arabic)

As you are probably aware, Lebanon has enacted a law that enables its Lebanese Citizens (Exclusively for holders of Lebanese citizenship and those who will be 21 years or older by the end of this year) living abroad to exercise in their countries of residency

their voting rights in the Lebanese parliamentary elections.

The Lebanese government has been working hard to lay the appropriate and effective foundations for holding this unprecedented immigrant voting in the upcoming legislative election in 2013. Towards this national objective, I hereby call on you to take part in this

democratic process.

In order to become eligible for voting, you need to initiate the following registration process by filling the registration form and providing the required documents as mentioned in the registration form.

Please Click Here to find out which Lebanese diplomatic post (Embassy or Consulate General) in the Unites States you should submit your papers to.

I would like to seize this opportunity to express my gratitude for your dedication and support to our beloved Lebanon and to encourage you to participate in this electoral process and help us in circulating the news within your Lebanese circles and

communities.

My Best Wishes,

Nassib Fawaz (Founding president LIBC)

Dearborn, Michigan – Lebanon is looking for the most beautiful Lebanese expatriate to represent their culture and country, and Dearborn has been selected to host this year’s US competition.

The American pre-pageant competition, open to Lebanese American women between the ages of 17 and 27, will be held Thursday, May 24 at the Greenfield Banquet Hall, 4770 Greenfield, in Dearborn, Michigan. Applications must be submitted no later than May 10 at www.MissLebanonEmigrants.com.

The winner of the Dearborn beauty pageant will join pre-pageant winners from more than 35 other countries at Castle Assouf in Dhour Shweir, Lebanon on August 11.

Georgina Rizk Lebanon’s first Miss Universe in 1971, and the only Arab to win the contest, will be attending along with Lebanese Minister for Tourism HE Fady Abboud, and other Lebanese and American dignitaries including the founder of AUD (American University of Dubai).

Krystelle Khoury, winner of the 2011 Miss Lebanon Emigrants competition, will also speak about her experiences during the past year before turning over the crown to the 2012 winner in Lebanon. Khory was recognized as one of the 50 most beautiful women in the world out of hundreds beautiful women who emerged in the Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Earth, Miss Supranational and Miss International pageants.