He thought it was Giorgia Meloni but instead it was Patrizia Scurti, head of the Prime Minister's private secretariat: this is the gaffe committed by Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati, who yesterday evening welcomed the Prime Minister at Beirut airport, on an official visit to Country of Cedars.
As can be seen in a video that has gone viral on social media, the Lebanese leader greeted Scurti with a hug and two kisses on the cheeks, as she came down the steps of the plane holding two bags, together with Francesco Piazza, head of the state ceremonial office. Perhaps deceived by the fact that, as per ceremonial, Meloni was expected to be the first to get off the plane, Miqati walked next to Scurti, until a member of his staff pointed out to him that the Prime Minister had yet to get off. Then the prime minister returned to the foot of the steps, where shortly afterwards he welcomed Meloni: between the two a handshake, kisses on the cheeks, and an exchange of words in which they both smiled.
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