British Embassy Commemorates 'Remembrance Day': 2018 Marks 100 Years Since the End of WWI
The British Embassy in Lebanon – along with embassies all over the world – held a ‘Remembrance Day’ service at the Beirut Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in honour of the brave soldiers on all sides, who were killed during World Wars I and II, and in other conflicts, a press release said.
This year marks the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice. The day will recognise the significance of the end of the First World War, and the sacrifice made by so many men and women during this period.
The service was attended by British Ambassador Chris Rampling; British Defence Attaché Lt. Col. Alex Hilton; Brigadier General Hasan Haidar, representing Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun; Col. Samer El Beaini, representing Head of the Internal Security Forces Major General Imad Osman, Brigadier General Labib Achkouti, representing the Director General of the General Security Major General Abbas Ibrahim. Ambassadors, diplomats and military attachés of US, European and Commonwealth countries were present. Lebanese and Palestinian war veterans, who served with the British army in World War II, attended with their families.
At the end of the service, two minutes’ silence was held before Ambassador Rampling and Commonwealth Ambassadors laid wreaths on the memorial.
Lebanese veteran Deeb El Hajj who has been attending this annual event for many years said: ‘As long as I can walk, I will never miss such a precious occasion that is dear to my heart. ’
The Beirut War Cemetery is the final resting place of around 1,200 soldiers, most of whom were from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa. The war graves are supervised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/253011 |