John Gérard Akouri

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Location: Birmingham, MI, United States

Councilman John Akouri, former Washington, DC Press Secretary & Capitol Hill Advisor, is President & CEO of the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

US Presidential Candidate Rudolph Giuliani Meets with Lebanese Christian Leaders in Michigan

MICHIGAN/USA: 2008 Presidential Candidate Rudolph Giuliani poses for a photograph with John Akouri, Chairman & CEO of the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce
Councilman John Akouri & Chamber Delegation pose with Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
BIRMINGHAM, MI - Former New York City Mayor & 2008 Presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani met today with a delegation of Lebanese Christian Leaders at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan, USA. Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce (LACC) Chairman & CEO John Akouri led the delegation. Akouri welcomed Giuliani back to Michigan and thanked him and George for suggesting the meeting. Topics in the morning discussions included:
  • The current situation in Lebanon and the need to maintain a strong Christian presence especially with respect for the Lebanese Constitution calling for the President of Lebanon to be Christian.
  • The call for safe and secure borders with Lebanon's neighbors, mainly Israel and Syria and the respect of Lebanon's sovereignty and an end to Syrian interference in Lebanese matters.
  • The need to maintain continued support for both the current Lebanese government in Beirut with increased support to the Lebanese Army fighting Al-Qaida inspired terrorists Fatah al-Islam, near the northern port city of Tripoli - ancestral hometown of Akouri's family.
  • The immediate and unconditional release and return of all Lebanese detainees, POW's & MIA's currently being held in Syria - some for over 30 years.
  • The disarmament of Hezbollah and support for the United Nations Peace-keepers patrolling the southern border.
  • The senseless assassinations of elected official, journalists, Members of Parliament and Ministers in Lebanon
  • The plight of all Christians in the Middle East - specifically Iraq's dwindling Christian population of Chaldeans and Assyrians, including the tens of thousands whom have fled to Lebanon to escape the War.
Akouri informed Giuliani of the over 3 million Americans of Middle Eastern descent with the majority being Lebanese. In terms of building coalitions, Akouri stressed the importance of such a key demographic and in today's world a very strategic constituency. Mayor Giuliani thanked the delegation for the meeting noting he gained considerable knowledge and information. He also said that he would consider naming a Lebanese American to fill a Cabinet post in a Giuliani Administration. Past Presidential Cabinet Members of Lebanese-descent in the United States have included Health & Human Services Secretary Dr. Donna Shalala during the Clinton Administration and Energy Secretary E. Spencer Abraham during the Bush Administration.

JOHN AKOURI ONLINE NEWSROOM 'We will confront this mortal danger to all humanity. We will not tire, or rest, until the war on terror is won.' -- PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH Add to end of above"line without paranthesis when wanting to loop sound (( loop="-1">