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Hariri vows to remain in Beirut, defend Lebanon
Beirut, Nov 23 (IANS) Prime Minister Saad Hariri told supporters here on Wednesday that he will remain in Lebanon and defend the nation’s stability.
Hours after suspending the resignation he announced on November 4 from the capital of Saudi Arabia, he spoke to a crowd of roughly 2,000 people gathered outside his residence in central Beirut.
“I shall remain and continue with you, so we can be the line of defence for Lebanon, its stability and Arabism,” Hariri said, according to Efe news agency.
The Prime Minister also thanked his supporters.
“This is a moment of truth with you. This is a moment of history and geography, this is a moment of Saad Rafic Hariri’s heart … who stands among you and for you, to summarize everything in one word: thank you, thank you and thank you!” he said.
“We have nothing more precious than our country. Our principle never changes and our motto remains: Lebanon First!,” he concluded.
The speech from his balcony came hours after Hariri said he had accepted a request from President Michel Aoun to put his resignation on hold.
Hariri met with Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri following the Independence Day military parade.
“I offered my resignation to the president, who wished that I keep it pending to allow for further deliberations on its causes and background,” Hariri said.
Hariri, a dual Lebanese-Saudi citizen, arrived back in Beirut late Tuesday after an extended absence, most of it spent in Riyadh.
The Lebanese government – from Aoun on down – refused to accept Hariri’s Nov. 4 resignation and demanded that he return to Beirut to explain his decision.
Amid suspicions that he was being held against his will in the Saudi capital, Hariri traveled to Paris last weekend and made brief stops Tuesday in Egypt and Cyprus before returning to Lebanon.
–IANS
ahm/
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.