BEIRUT (Aztagdaily)–A ceremony marking the opening of an Armenian National Committee (ANC) Middle East office was held on August 2 in Beirut–Lebanon.
As the ANC offices of the United States and Europe–the Middle East office will promote Armenian genocide recognition efforts throughout the region.
Among those present for the celebration were ARF Bureau representative Hrant Markarian–members of ARF Lebanon’s leadership–Lebanese Parliament member Hagop Pakrodouni–Armenia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Areg Hovhannisian–and Bourj Hammoud Mayor Antranig Messerlian.
In her remarks–the Executive Director of the Middle East office Vera Yacoubian noted the successes of the ANC in the US and Europe and explained the necessity for establishing the office.
"This undertaking by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation is based on the necessity to expand our reach and coordinate activities so as to counter Turkey’s efforts to deny the Armenian genocide."
She noted the difficulties of the imminent challenges–but stressed that every occasion must be exerted to overcome them by presenting the case of Armenia’s to Middle Eastern intellectuals and political forces.
ARF Bureau representative Markarian said it is imperative to develop relations in the Middle East where Armenia’s found refuge after the genocide and have also lived for centuries. Pointing to political interests that promote anti-Islam sentiment–he said that we unintentionally end up on the opposition end.
"Our cause is a political one–which should not be placed in the category of religion or faith. We must–therefore–not forcibly end up on the losing side while our opposition is victorious."