BEIRUT: The Saudi Embassy, at the initiative of Saudi Charge d'Affaires in Lebanon Walid Bukhari and in coordination with the city's Harley-Davidson Club, organized a motorbike tour under the slogan "For a Better Tomorrow" on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Bukhari personally took part in the tour. He wore Harley-Davidson T-shirt and cap and put on dark glasses and joined dozens of members of the famous American motorcycling club in Lebanon on a tour from King Salman Avenue in Beirut to the Chouf District in Mount Lebanon.
A number of ministers, deputies and ambassadors participated in the event, including Minister of Tourism Avidis Kidianian, Moroccan Ambassador Mohammed Krein, UAE Ambassador Hamad Al-Shamsi, Algerian ambassador Ahmed Bouziane, Yemeni Ambassador Abdullah Al-Dais, Australian Ambassador Glenn Miles, Pakistani Ambassador Aftab Ahmed Khokher and UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Philippe Lazzarini.
The Saudi charge d'affaires said: "This campaign comes within the directives of King Salman in dealing with matters of interest to the community."
He thanked the ministers, deputies and ambassadors who "wanted to participate in this initiative, through which we demonstrate the beauty of Lebanon, which deserves forgoing vice in order to live quietly and achieve peace in this society.
"This initiative reflects the reality of renewed Saudi diplomatic thought that cares about the human being wherever it is at all times, and we have many initiatives that contribute to the service of man."
Bukhari pointed out: "We visited all regions in Lebanon and had initiatives in the north and south, and now the time has come for the Chouf District because its beauty deserves to be displayed in this initiative."
The Moroccan ambassador said: "The diplomatic corps in Lebanon stands with all initiatives to combat all types of social vice, such as drugs, and to explore the beauty and diversity of Lebanese nature and showcase them."
Deputy Taymour Jumblatt, who received the riders at Mukhtarah in Chouf, tweeted: "It is a remarkable initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. Helping drug addicts and convincing them of the possibility of getting out of this cycle is a national duty because the young generation remains the title of every hope for a prosperous future."
