Foreign Affairs Minister Gebran Bassil pursued his tour of East Bekaa region on Sunday, noting that Lebanon was the first Arab country to win in its battle against terrorism, adding that "the victory in Ras-Baalbek and al-Qaa is for all the Lebanese people."

Speaking before dignitaries who gathered to welcome him at Saint Elias Church Hall in the town of Serhine, Bassil deemed that "Lebanon of tolerance and dialogue" helped to achieve the victory over takfiris and terrorism violence, thanks to the Lebanese people's strong will, determination and attachment to their land.

Bassil continued to indicate that Lebanon would not have accepted negotiations with the terrorists until it had managed to obtain what it considered as "most valuable in the world," namely knowledge about the fate of the abducted soldiers. He considered it as a symbol of the importance of soldiers to the army and the homeland.

Accompanied by Water and Energy Minister Ceasar Abi Khalil, Bassil continued his Bekaa tour, whereby both officials visited Patrick Fakhri, son of the two martyrs Sobhi and Nadimeh Fakhri in the village of Btadhi

Source: NNA