As part of its ongoing support mission, a high-level delegation from the Sovereign Order of Malta is touring Lebanon. The official visit, led by the Order's Grand Chancellor Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, spans three days and concludes tomorrow. The visit includes various stops aimed at exploring ways the Order can support Lebanon's recovery amid its crises and help place the country back on the path of development and reconstruction.

In the first stop, Paternò di Montecupo visited the Presidential Palace in Baabda, where he met with President Joseph Aoun. He was accompanied by the Order's Ambassador to Lebanon, Maria Cortese; the Order's President in Lebanon, Marwan Sehnaoui; and advisors François Abi Saab, Eleonore Habsburg, and Martina Donofrio. During the meeting, Paternò di Montecupo conveyed congratulations from the Order's Grand Master, John Dunlap, who expressed eagerness to meet President Aoun at the Order's headquarters in Malta during his next visit to Rome. He affirmed that Lebanon holds a special place in the Order's heart and expressed hope that President Aoun's term would mark a new chapter in Lebanon's history after its recent challenges. He noted that the Order is implementing 60 care, educational, and cultural projects and has signed several agreements to facilitate its work. The Order also organized a conference on Lebanon last February and plans another meeting on April 10 in Rome.

Paternò di Montecupo emphasized that maintaining stability is crucial at this stage to help revive and strengthen the economy. He reiterated the Order's readiness, known for its independence and neutrality, to undertake any efforts to assist Lebanon. "We will spare no effort in this regard to help the Lebanese people," he said.

President Aoun acknowledged that rebuilding the country is a challenging but achievable task with genuine willpower. He stressed the importance of international economic and political support for Lebanon. Aoun highlighted agreements previously signed between the Order of Malta and various Lebanese sectors, including the Lebanese Army. He expressed Lebanon's hope for the Order's continued support, especially after the destruction caused by the recent Israeli war. He praised the Order's projects across Lebanon, which are carried out "without any political, sectarian, or denominational considerations."

In two other stops, Paternò di Montecupo and his delegation visited Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri at the Second Presidency in Ain al-Tineh and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail. Both meetings included discussions on general conditions, political developments, and the projects implemented by the Order in Lebanon.

It is worth noting that the Sovereign Order of Malta has been active in Lebanon for 70 years, focusing on health, social integration, and agriculture. This visit reaffirms the Order's commitment to supporting the Lebanese people during the reconstruction phase. In addition to official meetings, the visit included developmental stops where the delegation inspected the Order's humanitarian and development projects, including the Saint John the Baptist Center in Ain al-Rummaneh and mobile medical units in Western Bekaa. The delegation also participated in the inauguration of a new humanitarian agricultural project and met with Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi in Bkerke.