NNA - Minister of Culture, Dr. Ghassan Salameh, sponsored the unification of efforts between the Arab Cultural Club and the Lebanese Publishers Association by signing a cooperation agreement for the organization of the Beirut International Arab Book Fair.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister Salamé, in his office at the National Library, by former Minister and President of the Arab Cultural Club, Dr. Hassan Mneimneh, and the President of the Lebanese Publishers Association, Nabil Abdel-Haq, as well as several members of both organizations and the Minister's advisor, architect Jad Tabet.

The two parties have agreed to merge their respective book fairs starting in 2026. Therefore, neither will organize a separate book fair in Beirut. The next Beirut International Arab Book Fair will be jointly organized within the framework of this agreement, in accordance with its provisions and in consultation with the Ministry of Culture.

A committee will oversee the fair. It will consist of three members of the Arab Cultural Club and three members of the Lebanese Publishers Association, as well as an observer representing the Ministry of Culture. This observer, without voting rights, will be responsible for coordinating between the oversight committee and the Ministry of Culture.

The committee will be chaired by a board of directors composed of two permanent members: the president of the Arab Cultural Club and the president of the Lebanese Publishers Association.

The president of the Arab Cultural Club and the president of the Lebanese Publishers Association both stated that "this agreement and the unification of efforts through their joint organization and development, starting in 2026, will give the exhibition a national and regional dimension, which will materialize next fall."

Minister Salamé met in his office with Fouad Saniours, the president of the Arab Cultural Club, Dr. Hassan Mneimneh, and the club’s vice-president, Ms. Salwa Sanioura Baasiri, to discuss cultural matters. President Siniora stated after the meeting: "This meeting with Minister Ghassan Salameh, a long-time and loyal friend, was a valuable opportunity to exchange views on cultural matters, including the International Arab Book Fair, organized by the Arab Cultural Club in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Lebanese Publishers Federation, as well as the Sidon City Museum and the support it receives from the State of Kuwait and the Arab Fund for Construction. It is essential that this historic and cultural project be completed, and Minister Salameh expressed his support for all initiatives that will make this possible, which we hope to see soon."