It's a great honor to come to the American University of Beirut. This is an important university for the Middle East and the world. It is not possible to go anywhere in the world without meeting a proud AUB alumni. They are leaders in politics, medicine, business, government and education. On my way here today, I was thinking about one of Lebanon's greatest national treasures - cedar trees.
Cedars are part of our noble Phoenician heritage of shipbuilding and trade.
There's a cedar on your flag. And personally, I love the smell of cedar - because it reminds me of my Lebanese roots and my deep love for this magnificent country. As I was thinking about the cedars of Lebanon, I couldn't help but think about my own country's great forestlands. There is none more beautiful than Yellowstone National Park. Let me tell you something about Yellowstone.