Kingdom pays for Lebanese public school tuition fees

Beirut, September 20, SPA -- In line with the directives of the
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al
Saud, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja
has handed over a sum of $ 44 million to Lebanese Prime Minister
Fouad Al-Al-Siniora as a contribution from the Kingdom to cover the
tuition fees of public schools and for the cost of textbooks for the
current academic year.

This came during a meeting with Prime Minister Fouad
Al-Siniora, in presence of Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher
Education Bahia Al-Hariri.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Al-Siniora expressed his
thanks to and appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
for all generous initiatives to enhance Lebanon's progress, growth,
stability and prosperity of its economy.

Since 2006, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Supreme Committee
of Lebanon's Relief has continuously provided support and assistance
for Lebanon, he said

$ 20 million of the money provided will be allocated for the
payment of student tuition fees in public schools and $ 20 million
allocated to pay for textbooks for all pupils in public schools and
the rest $ 4 million earmarked to support the national commission to
support public schools, he added.



Al-Siniora also added that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always
been supportive of Lebanon's economy, stability and promotion of its
economic growth.
He said that for more than ten years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has
provided more than $1200 million including $ 425 million as grants
and $ 775 million provided by the Saudi Fund for Development.
Since 2006, the volume of support provided by the kingdom of
Saudi Arabia because of the Israeli invasion has increased, he
stressed.
He noted that the Kingdom has provided over $ 2,875 million;
some of the provided money was deposited in the Lebanese Central
Bank. That amount also included the Kingdom's donation to the donor
countries conference in Paris 3. The kingdom's contribution during
July Aggression amounted to $ 550 million, in addition to
contribution to rehabilitation and reconstruction of Nahr Albared as
well as relief assistance provided by Saudi Arabia in various
facilities in Lebanon.

All of these granted amounts confirmed the stand of Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia towards Lebanon and the Lebanese people, stability of the
Lebanese economy and support for civil peace. Over the past years,
the Kingdom has stood by the Lebanese people, their reconciliation
and security. We have seen all the best from Saudi Arabia in
supporting Lebanon, stressing Lebanon's keenness on strengthening
ties with Saudi Arabia and all Arab countries on the basis of mutual
respect.

For his part, Ambassador Khoja said Saudi Arabia will not hesitate to
provide all assistance to Lebanon and help in rebuilding institutions
at all levels, pointing to the existence of permanent coordination
between the Saudi leadership and Lebanese officials.

He expressed his hope that matters will be stable in Lebanon
to allow economic growth and prosperity, pointing out that we need
Lebanon in the region to be as a beautiful oasis for all Arabs.

The ambassador stressed that Saudi Arabia does not interfere
in Lebanese internal affairs, adding that the kingdom is encouraging
any reconciliation efforts in Lebanon.

In turn, Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education
Bahia Al-Hariri said this initiative will be positively reflected on
the public education in Lebanon, adding that it is not the first time
that Saudi Arabia supports public education in Lebanon. The Ministry
of Education has started preparations for receiving such assistance,
which would include all schools in Lebanon, without exception, she
added.
--SPA