NNA - President of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), Emirati former rally champion, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, arrived in Beirut on Saturday afternoon at the invitation of the President of the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL), Nabil Karam, to attend the 48th edition of the International Rally of Lebanon.

Ben Sulayem, the head of global motorsports, was welcomed at the VIP lounge of the private jet terminal at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport by Karam, FIA World Rally Championship Commission President Imad Lahoud, and Ben Sulayem’s Chief -of-Staff, Jacques Skaim, who had arrived in Lebanon last Thursday to prepare for the FIA president’s visit. A number of journalists and media representatives were also present at the airport to welcome Ben Sulayem.

Karam welcomed the international motorsport official in Lebanon, describing Ben Sulayem’s visit under the current circumstances as a sign of confidence in the country and support for the club’s organization of the 48th edition of the Rally of Lebanon. He said Ben Sulayem is scheduled to visit Baabda Palace on Monday afternoon to meet with President Joseph Aoun. Karam also wished Ben Sulayem success in his role as FIA President.

In turn, Ben Sulayem expressed his pleasure at returning to Lebanon 15 years after his last visit in 2011. He previously won the Rally of Lebanon four times, with his first victory being in 1987. He praised ATCL's role in organizing various types of races and voiced his support for the club’s efforts to promote motorsport. Ben Sulayem also recalled the fierce competition he had decades ago with Lebanese rally driver Karam in the Rally of Lebanon. 

For his part, Lahoud said Ben Sulayem’s visit to Lebanon demonstrates his confidence in the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon and in motorsport, which has never stopped in the country. He added that having the FIA President attend and follow the Rally of Lebanon is a dream for every motorsport enthusiast.