BEIRUT (Armenpress)–Lebanese President Emile Lahoud arrived in Armenia on Tuesday–May 2–to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss the regional peace process with Armenian President Robert Kocharian.
According to the Armenian presidential press office–the delegation led by Emile Lahoud includes Prime Minister Isam Fares–Minister of Youth and Culture Affairs Sebouh Hovnanian–Chief Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Department on Emigran’s Zouher Hamdan–Chief Director of Security Jamil Sayed–Lebanese Ambassador to Yerevan Toni Badaoui and other senior officials.
President Lahoud is scheduled to have a private meeting with President Kocharian on Tuesday. After the meeting–Armenian-Lebanese negotiations will be held and a number of documen’s will be signed.
On May 3–President Lahoud is scheduled to meet with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. The Lebanese delegation will also pay a visit to Etchmiadzin to meet His Holiness Karekin II–Catholicos of All Armenia’s.
President Lahoud’s itinerary also includes a visit to the Armenian Genocide Monument–where he will lay a wreath and plant a tree in a nearby lane.
Emile Lahoud was born in one of the most prominent political families in Lebanon–his father–General Jamil Lahoud–was a regular officer–and member of the parliament. His mother Adrine Bojakian and his wife–Andrea Amatuni–are Armenian.
Lahoud received his education at Broumana High School–and graduated from the Lebanese Military Academy. He also studied in Great Britain and the US.