Beirut: Malaysian Ambassador to Lebanon, Dato’ Azri Mat Yacoob, hosted a reception at the Movenpick Hotel in Beirut marking Malaysia’s 68th National Day. The event was attended by senior Lebanese officials, including representatives of the President, Speaker, and Prime Minister, along with ministers, army and security representatives, ambassadors, and various public figures.
According to National News Agency – Lebanon, following the Lebanese and Malaysian national anthems, Ambassador Yacob emphasized the strong ties between Malaysia and Lebanon since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1965. He reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to supporting Lebanon through its UNIFIL contingent (MALBATT) since 2007, as well as through humanitarian aid and capacity-building programs, notably the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP). Recently, the MTCP delivered advanced medical training to over 100 Lebanese health professionals.
Yacoob also highlighted Malaysia’s growing global economic role, noting that bilateral trade with Lebanon grew by 43% between 2020 and 2024, a sign of a strong and promising partnership. To strengthen ties between the two peoples, the event featured a traditional Malaysian fashion show performed by Lebanese models, reflecting cultural harmony and friendship between Lebanon and Malaysia.
Ambassador Yacoob encouraged Lebanese tourists to consider Malaysia as a destination during the “Visit Malaysia 2026” campaign, highlighting upcoming visa waiver arrangements that will ease travel and strengthen people-to-people connections. Regionally, he emphasized Malaysia’s leadership as the current ASEAN chair under the theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability,’ reaffirming the country’s commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The reception concluded with a celebration of Malaysia’s rich culture, strong economy, and deep-rooted friendship with Lebanon.