President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Lebanon on the occasion marking the 73rd Independence Anniversary of that country on November 22.

Lebanon gained independence on November 22, 1943. The day is celebrated to commemorate the country’s liberation from the French Mandate, after 23 years of mandate rule.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her message to the Acting President of the Republic of Lebanon, His Excellency Mr. Tammam Salam, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, extended warmest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the 73^rd Anniversary.

“As you celebrate this special occasion, the people of Lebanon can be assured that Liberia stands with them in the spirit of our shared values as demonstrated in our historic friendship, and along the principles of the United Nations, the Liberian President stressed.”

President Sirleaf hoped that their two countries will continue to collaborate within the context of economic cooperation and social development.

She then assured His Excellency Mr. Salam of her government’s determination to continue to strengthen the cordial relations subsisting between their two countries for the prosperity of their respective peoples.