Culture Minister from Oman: We closed a battle in an unfinished war over Lebanon's identity

Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh began an official visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in response to a formal invitation, with a lecture titled “Cultural Diplomacy: Can It Succeed Where Politics Fails?” held at the Lebanese Embassy in Amman. The event was organized by the Lebanese-Jordanian Association under the supervision of Lebanese Ambassador to the Jordanian capital Brigitte Touq, and attended by UN diplomat Akhmedou Ould-Abdallah, former Jordanian Foreign Minister Marouf al-Bakhit, Princess Wijdan Hashem, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of Fine Arts, and a large gathering of ministers, diplomatic figures, cultural and literary activists, and members of the Jordanian Senate.

Salameh stated, “About three weeks ago, we concluded a battle in a war that has not yet ended—the war over Lebanon’s identity, and consequently, the identity of Southern Lebanon.”

He added, “The recent conflict placed the Ministry of Culture before an existential test, centered on protecting memory and preserving antiquities, particularly in the South. The bet was on cultural diplomacy, so we sought the highest form of protection afforded by international law. This diplomatic initiative bore fruit in early April with an emergency meeting of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, comprising 21 countries, which unanimously adopted a historic decision to place 73 Lebanese archaeological and heritage sites under enhanced protection—the highest level of protection offered by the international community. The Ministry continues its diplomatic campaign today to build on this achievement by working to inscribe Lebanese sites already listed on the World Heritage List onto the List of World Heritage in Danger, thereby securing international immunity and exceptional attention.”

Following the lecture, a reception was held in honor of Minister Salameh at the embassy, attended by senior officials and members of the Lebanese community in Jordan. The Culture Minister also met at the embassy with Haya al-Najjar, Chairperson of the Culture and Youth Committee of the Jordanian Senate, and Michel Nazzal, Chairperson of the Tourism and Antiquities Committee of the Senate.

Minister Salameh met with Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Affairs Dr. Ayman Safadi, accompanied by Ambassador Touq. The one-hour meeting covered in depth and detail the general political situation and developments in the region.

Salameh and his Jordanian counterpart, Dr. Mustafa al-Rawashdeh, discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly regarding co-production of films, participation in book fairs, cultural festivals, and exchange of expertise, at the Royal Cultural Center.

He also met with Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin to explore cooperation prospects, especially in the field of restoring archaeological and heritage sites.

Minister Salameh concluded his visit to Amman with a meeting with Prince Hassan bin Talal at his residence.