Foreign Affairs Ministry denies any connection to 'Lebanese Diaspora Energy' event

BEIRUT — The Foreign Affairs Ministry released a statement on Monday denying it had any connection to the event titled "Lebanese Diaspora Energy [LDE] – Special Edition 2025," scheduled for Dec. 29 in Beirut and Dec. 30 in Batroun, northern Lebanon.

"Following numerous requests for information from Lebanese residents both inside the country and abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the public that this event is in no way affiliated with the ministry and is neither organized nor sponsored by it," the statement reads. "[We] therefore disclaim all responsibility regarding the organization, content, activities, and consequences of this event."

According to the event's website, the event was launched in 2014 by then-Foreign Affairs Ministry Gebran Bassil, with the intention of "celebrating the diaspora and promoting Lebanese heritage."

Despite having left the ministry, Bassil, who has taken on issues pertaining to the Lebanese diaspora as one of his key campaigns, has continued to support the initiative.

The current head of Lebanese diplomacy, Joe Rajji is affiliated with the Lebanese Forces and is part of the government camp opposed to Bassil's Free Patriotic Movement (FPM).