Who is Michel Mouawad?

Michel Mouawad, the son of the late Lebanese president René Mouawad, has played a leading role in public life since his father’s assassination on 22 November 1989. He continues to uphold the values of the René Mouawad Foundation (RMF), a foundation dedicated to socio-economic development, transparency, and strengthening state institutions in Lebanon.

His visit to Australia aimed primarily to thank the supporters of the Independence Movement (a Lebanese political party), to help fundraise for development projects, and to further engage the Lebanese diaspora—central goals of the foundation’s mission.

He emphasised the importance of Lebanese Australians participating in the upcoming elections, in order to keep alive the Lebanon that President Mouawad represented:
a Lebanon of freedom, sovereignty, legitimate institutions, and national unity; a Lebanon where authority rests solely with the Lebanese Army, without the presence of illegal weapons.

Below is the video from the moment I had the chance to meet His Excellency Mr Michel Mouawad on 16 November, following the memorial mass held for the late martyr President René Mouawad and his companions.

During the gathering, I spontaneously asked members of the younger generation what they remembered or how they intended to continue this patriotic path. Simon Makkary, a young Lebanese man working in Sydney on a skilled visa, expressed in Arabic his hope that—with Michel Mouawad’s political leadership—he may one day return to a better Lebanon. As we say in Arabic: يا ربّ.

Highlights of Michel Mouawad’s Tour in Australia

• Visit to Saint Charbel, Punchbowl
He stated: “Where Saint Charbel is, there is Lebanon—country of faith, freedom, and dignity.”

• Meetings in Canberra
His Excellency held an extended meeting at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), chaired by Mathew Wise, the Middle East officer, and attended by representatives from the Humanitarian Crisis Section for the Middle East. He also met with the National Intelligence Services.
He noted: “I appreciate the depth of the discussions and Australia’s sincere interest in Lebanon’s future.”

• Visit to Saint Charbel Church, Melbourne
A tribute to the late President René Mouawad, where he declared:
“Thirty-six years after his martyrdom, President René Mouawad continues to unite the Lebanese—even when separated by 15,000 kilometres.”

• Participation in the Remembrance Day ceremony, Parramatta
At the invitation of Martin Zeayter (of Lebanese descent), His Excellency laid a wreath in honour of those who died for Australia.

• Meeting with the Grand Mufti of Australia, Sheikh Riad Al-Rifai
They discussed the challenges facing Lebanon at this critical moment in its history.
He said: “I am grateful for the distinguished reception and for the Grand Mufti’s constant efforts to unite the community with wisdom and openness.”

• OLOF Lebanon mass
As mentioned earlier, he attended the memorial mass honouring President René Mouawad and his companions.