President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the President of the Lebanese Republic, His Excellency Mr. Michel Aoun, on the occasion commemorating his country’s 74^th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday, November 22, 2017.

Lebanese Independence Day is the national day of Lebanon celebrated on November 22 in commemoration of the end of the French Mandate over that country in 1943, after 23 years of Mandate rule.

On this day in 1943, Lebanon’s constitutionally elected leaders were released from detention by French occupation forces after their commanders backed down and accepted the independence of Lebanon.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Liberian leader, in the message to her Lebanese counterpart said, “On this festive occasion commemorating the 74^th Anniversary of your country’s independence, it gives me pleasure to extend best wishes to you and, through you, to the Government and people of the Lebanese Republic, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in my own name.”

President Sirleaf indicated that it is pleasing to note that relations between both countries and peoples have evolved into a strong partnership.

She stressed that as the great people of Lebanon observe this day, it is her sincere hope that the bonds of friendship and cooperation subsisting between both countries and peoples will continue to be strengthened for the mutual benefits of the peoples of both countries.