H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares received a congratulation telegram from House Speaker Nabih Berri during which he congratulated him for receiving the high Order of Sts. Paul and Peter from the Antiochian Orthodox Church.
For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Samir Moqbel sent a telegram to Mr. Fares in which he indicated that Fares deserved the Order because of his patriotism and ethics.

MP Nidal Tohme also relayed his congratulations to Mr. Fares in a telegram. The telegram read, 'We are filled with joy and pride every time His Excellency Mr. Issam Fares is honored in international tribunes which compete to show appreciation for his humanitarian contributions and realizations in the consolidation of world peace and communication among populations. Mr. Fares' denunciation of the brutal blast that hit Achrafieh, affirms Lebanon's presence in the conscience and sentiment of Issam Fares. We bless His Excellency, his family, and all his beloved ones'.

In turn, the head of Akkar Popular Assembly MP Wajih Baaarini lauded Mr. Fares for being decorated by Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim of Antioch and All The East the Order of Sts. Paul& Peter. He considered that this honoring emphasizes Fares' key role and his generous contributions in all arenas, underlining his successful political role in realizing political entente among the Lebanese and in promoting Lebanon's relationship with the international community for the sake of Lebanon's stability, and its democratic and economic prosperity.

Also, the Secretary General of the Lebanese Association for Rural Development Jean Moussa congratulated Fares for being decorated the Order of Sts. Paul and Peter, the highest award by the Antiochian church. Moussa remarked that this Order is a source of pride for all the Lebanese in general, and the Orthodox community in particular. He threw light on Fares' historic achievements which have put the region of Akkar on the path towards development and modernity.

Moreover, the Association for the Development of Tripoli and the Port Mr. Robert Habib considered that the Order bestowed upon Fares is a pride for all the Lebanese thanks to the achievements realized by Fares who raised high the name of Lebanon. He pointed out that this Order comes as the fruit of Fares' humanitarian donations and philanthropic contributions and as the result of his efforts to force Lebanon out of the chaos circle.