Hrawi opens Francophonic University Association meeting in Beirut

Lebanese President Elias Hrawi on Monday opened at UNESCO palace the 12th general assembly of the French speaking university association and the "Rapprochement Networks University."

The opening ceremony was attended by the secretary-general of the organization of the Francophonic states and former UN secretary-general Butros Butros Ghali, his assistants, the president of Vietnam Giar Si Yen and more than 600 university rectors and deans as well as directors of research centers belonging to more than 400 universities from different parts of the world.

In an inaugural speech, President Hrawi welcomed the conferees and praised the efforts exerted to support Lebanon's march of building and development despite ordeals yielded by the 20-year old Israeli occupation. Hrawi invested Ghali with the "National Cedar Order" in the name of Lebanon and Qana martyrs, commending his stances based on unswerving principles.

Several speakers underlined the importance of honoring high values of the international community represented by the UN and its resolutions.