Lebanon (Enmaeya News) – November 18, 2025
Lebanon’s Minister of Culture, Ghassan Salameh, received the UAE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Noura Al Kaabi, at his office in the National Library.
The meeting was attended by the UAE Ambassador to Lebanon, Salem Fahad Al Kaabi, and Lebanon’s Ambassador to the UAE, Tarek Mneimneh.
Discussions focused on “the potential for building a cultural partnership between the two countries,” according to Minister Salameh.
After the meeting, Minister Salameh said: “I warmly welcome Ms. Noura Al Kaabi, the UAE’s Minister of State responsible for cultural affairs. I would like to thank her for two things: first, for accepting Lebanon’s invitation to attend the ‘Beirut 1’ conference on investment in Lebanon, which begins tomorrow; and second, for the strong interest she has shown over the past months in exploring the possibility of establishing a cultural partnership between Lebanon and the UAE.
Such a partnership would give both ministries a central role while also enhancing the contribution of the Lebanese community in the UAE, which is very active in the fields of culture and creative industries.”
He added: “I am delighted that Minister Al Kaabi accepted our invitation and, more importantly, that she returns to visit us in Beirut after a long absence.”
For her part, Minister Al Kaabi said: “Thank you to Minister Ghassan Salameh, a dear friend. I am very happy and honored to be here with you in Lebanon and beloved Beirut. Yes, it has been a period of absence, but not an absence of ideas, minds, or projects.”
She continued: “We are here today to attend the Beirut 1 conference and to work on projects that will benefit both the UAE and Lebanon. This is a strong and unique relationship, one that unites the Emirati and Lebanese leaderships and peoples. It is a warm and special bond, different from any other.”
She added: “We are here to talk about the horizon and the future, about projects that matter to the Ministry of Culture and your enlightened vision. With God’s will, we will see initiatives that benefit both the Lebanese and Emirati peoples.”
She concluded: “Thank you once again. Even though my visit was delayed, I do not need an invitation — Lebanon is my second home. God willing, our meetings will continue, and we will celebrate future projects together.”
Following the meeting, Salameh and Al Kaabi visited UNESCO Palace and toured its halls, accompanied by Director General of Cultural Affairs, Dr. Ali El Sammad.
