Lebanese President Emile Lahoud decorated Egypt's outgoing ambassador, Adel Al Khodary, with the National Order of the Cedars on Wednesday during a presentation ceremony, reported the Daily Star.
Lahoud paid tribute to the envoy and his efforts to consolidate Lebanese-Egyptian relations during his six-year term.
The award is in appreciation of the ambassador's services and his "distinguished diplomatic role," the president said.
Khodary replied that during his tenure he had worked hard for the interests of both countries, and that he would never forget the kind treatment from the media, government leaders and ordinary citizens.
During a luncheon held at Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri’s residence in Koraytem in honor of Khodary, the former said Monday that Beirut’s relations with Cairo had significantly improved, although they remained short of expectations.
Hariri said Khodary “was remarkably successful in concluding many economic, cultural and commercial agreements between Egypt and Lebanon and relations significantly improved during his posting here, although they remained short of the aspirations of both governments.”
Hariri visited Cairo in June where he held talks with President Hosni Mubarak.
He also co-chaired the fifth round of meetings by the Higher Egyptian-Lebanese Joint Committee with his counterpart Atef Ebeid – Albawaba.com
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