U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson hosted a reception on May 23 to celebrate the "strong ties" between the U.S. Embassy and the hundreds of Lebanese who have participated in U.S. Government-sponsored international exchange programs in the United States, the embassy said.

Johnson expressed her admiration for the "remarkable achievements" of U.S. exchange alumni, emphasizing the importance the United States places on the "bridges of friendship and understanding" that alumni continue to build between the United States and Lebanon.

The event featured a musical performance by American Music Abroad (AMA) alumnus Nareg Vassilian.

U.S. Exchange alumni come from fields and areas of expertise including academia, politics, business, the media, community leadership, and social and environmental activism. The U.S. exchange alumni network in Lebanon has 16,000 members who have participated in U.S. government-funded exchange, educational, and cultural programs.

"The U.S. Embassy's Public Diplomacy Section actively engages with this dynamic community through thematic discussions, roundtables, and celebratory events," the embassy said in a statement.