Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly gives a city coin as an award to Diab (L) as LIBC President Nassib Fawaz looks on. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab

DEARBORN – The Lebanese International Business Council (LIBC) held a farewell event for Lebanese Consul General Houssam Diab, whose term as Lebanese Consul General in Detroit will end on May 19.  The event held at Byblos was co-sponsored by multiple local organizations who honored Diab for his work during his short stay at his temporary post. Mr. Diab has been elevated and will be relocating to the Sultanate of Oman where he will be serving as the Lebanese Ambassador.

City of Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly was among dignitaries attending the event, as well as heads of various community organizations, business and community leaders. Mr. Diab was presented with several awards by local community organizations including the LIBC, American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, American Arab Chamber of Commerce, Arab American Civil Rights League, Islamic Center of America, St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church in Livonia, Lebanese American Heritage Club, Lebanese American Council of Detroit, New Generation Club of Detroit, Hamadeh Educational Services and letters of commendations from U. S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. U.S. Representatives John Dingell and John Conyers were not present at the event but also acknowledged Diab with an award.

Originally several organizations were planning on hosting separate farewell events for Diab but then decided at his request to join with the LIBC to make it one grand event. More than 400 people attended the function.

Diab addressing the audience at Byblos Banquet Hall on Thursday.

Diab took the stage at the end of the program to give some kind words to the community that was honoring him.

“I extend my gratitude to all the organizations here tonight. I am really humbled by this showcase of solidarity,” Diab told the crowd. “I remember just one year ago when the mayor handed me the key to the city of Dearborn and behind those doors I found a thriving community. A community of Lebanese Americans who are so attached to their  (homeland) “Kulluna lil-watan (Referencing the Lebanese National Anthem), yet so true and faithful to their American Star Spangled Banner.”

Students from Star Academy in Dearborn Heights were also in attendance and performed a song in Arabic.

Ned Fawaz, President of LIBC spoke at the beginning praising Diab’s tenure in Detroit and his work to build bridges of understanding and cooperation between the Lebanese community. He spoke about LIBC’s past activities including receptions in honor of the Vice Governor of Lebanon’s Central Bank Raed Charafeddine as well as sponsoring the showing of Lebanese movie Khalet Warde. He promised more events to come. 

The departure of Diab will make way for Mr. Bilal Kablan who will be coming from the Lebanese Consulate in Cairo, Egypt to assume his new position as the new Lebanese Consul General in Detroit.