The history of Lebanon is one of a country at the crossroads of civilizations, religions, customs and economies. And the same is true today as the country faces yet another chapter of challenges and opportunities. And as I confirmed throughout my visit, Britain stands ready to assist.
It has been humbling to see the magnitude of the threats Lebanon faces from terrorism. I hope the mothers of Lebanon’s captive sons and daughters – of all faiths – will be able to spend Christmas with their children. Like Lebanon, the U.K. also knows too well that terrorism is a global problem. The sad events in Sydney this week have reminded us of that. The U.K. is a target too, and we are proud to stand beside the Lebanese state as it faces down the threat of terror and chaos.
I am pleased that Britain is working with key Lebanese voices to discredit the violent ideology of groups like ISIS and promote instead security, justice and opportunity for all. And as I saw firsthand, we are working ever closer to support the Lebanese Armed Forces to improve their border surveillance, to counter the threat of incursions from ISIS, the Nusra Front and other armed groups.
The Syrian refugee crisis is affecting the entire region and the international community owes Lebanon a huge debt of gratitude for the enormous burden it has undertaken in providing over 1.2 million Syrians safety and security from the civil war. I am pleased Britain has already gifted Lebanon $273 million for humanitarian, development and state-building aid. I’ve highlighted how we are the largest donor to the World Bank Trust Fund.
But it is easy to get caught up in today’s problems, and to forget that the U.K.’s partnership with Lebanon is not simply about humanitarian and security challenges, but also about bilateral trade and economic prosperity.
We are both great trading nations. In 2015 we expect U.K.-Lebanon trade to have doubled since 2011. Both our economies will benefit from the U.K.-Lebanon Tech Hub, to be launched next year, which will establish Lebanon as a regional technology hub and boost both British and Lebanese companies. With Lebanese entrepreneurialism and British innovation, there is huge potential for further growth.
I also want to see the U.K. sharing its enormous expertise in hydrocarbons, to benefit both our countries. The British company Spectrum has been contracted to survey Lebanon’s on- and offshore gas reserves. Spectrum is one of over 3,000 companies involved in the U.K. oil and gas supply chain: these companies can help Lebanon build the infrastructure it will need to extract, deliver and sell its gas reserves. This year we sent our first Lebanese Chevening Energy scholar to study oil and gas law in Aberdeen, Europe’s oil and gas capital. And here in Lebanon we are helping to develop transparent mechanisms to manage the revenues: these precious reserves must promote peace, not prolong conflict.
In education, we are also strengthening our relationships. Indeed, from the home of the alphabet to the country of Shakespeare, we are natural partners in education. The British Embassy team are working with the Ministry of Education to supply textbooks to every student in Lebanese public schools, and have just finalized a new three-year package of support to help expand the public school system to accommodate over 100,000 Syrian children whilst also improving its quality. The British Council has trained 549 head teachers and 3,014 teachers in schools throughout the country, delivering the English language to a global nation. Sixty-five schools in the U.K. have paired up with Lebanese counterparts under the Connecting Classrooms initiative. And some of Lebanon’s top talent study in the U.K. through the prestigious Chevening scholarship scheme: Its graduates this week told me that studying in the U.K. has sharpened their aspirations for a future Lebanon.
There is no doubt our two countries already enjoy a strong and prosperous relationship and my visit confirms there is much potential and that more can be achieved together. Lebanon is in a tough neighborhood but in so many ways it is an example of inclusivity, diversity and prosperity to other countries in the region.
Tobias Ellwood is the U.K.’s Foreign Office minister for the Middle East.
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