Riad Salame, Governor, Banque du Liban to Ring The NYSE Opening Bell(SM)

NEW YORK, March 2, 2009 — The American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce, NYSE Euronext, Auerbach Grayson, and The Bank of New York Mellon are delighted to host an inaugural Lebanon Capital Market Day today at The Palace Hotel in New York City. Officials representing Lebanese financial institutions and governmental agencies will address various economic issues impacting Lebanon and the Middle East. Representatives of Lebanese public companies will be meeting with investors and other market participants.

The day will begin with Riad Salame, Governor of Banque du Liban, ringing The NYSE Opening Bell(SM) along with Mr. Salim Zeenni, President of the American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Roger Nasnas, President of the Economic and Social Council. Governor Salameh was voted Central Banker of the Year for 2009 by The Banker Magazine, and will discuss:

• The development of the monetary system of Lebanon
• The prudent central banking which led to the ability of Lebanon to weather the financial storm
• Specific steps that are being taken to control monetary policy

Distinguished guests attending the Lebanon Capital Market Day include Antoine Chedid, Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S., Michele J. Sison, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Mr. Walid Alamuddin, Chairman of Banking Control Commission, and Dr. Fadi Khalaf, Secretary General of the Union of Arab Stock Exchanges and Chairman of the Beirut Stock Exchange. Presenting at the conference will be Bank Audi, BLOM Bank, Byblos Bank, Middle East Airlines and Solidere.

"NYSE Euronext is pleased to partner with the organizers of Lebanon Capital Market Day in New York to showcase investment opportunities in Lebanon," said Duncan Niederauer, NYSE Euronext Chief Executive Officer. "This event highlights our relationship with Lebanon and we look forward to assisting Lebanese companies seeking to access global capital markets."

David Grayson, Managing Director of Auerbach Grayson said they have been active in the Lebanese market for many years. "Despite the political problems, we have introduced many institutional investors to Lebanon. This is the first time there has ever been an effort put forth to introduce Lebanese companies in the Unites States. In fact, this may be the first time that Lebanon has promoted itself in the U.S. We are honored to be part of a very historic occasion."

Salim Zeenni, president of the American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce said "This appearance at the Stock Exchange, in what can only be described as troubled times, reflects our belief in the resiliency and dynamism of capitalism even when confronted with the most severe challenges — as now. Indeed, the story of Lebanon, and its own resiliency in the face of decades of war and instability, is a testament to how effective public/private team work can enable each partner in the enterprise to perform at maximum capacity for the benefit of all. Lebanon has been able to weather many storms over the past 35 years, and — in the immediate situation — to steer a moderate course through the economic crisis of the last painful months." He added that "Some of our strongest corporations are with us for this first off experience. I am confident that they will carry Lebanon's flag forward with great effectiveness."

Mahmoud Salem, Head of Depositary Receipts for the Middle East at The Bank of New York Mellon said, "We are proud to be involved in this landmark capital market day for Lebanon. The Bank of New York Mellon has been conducting business in the Middle East and Africa for nearly 100 years. The Company has representative offices in Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, Istanbul and Johannesburg and works with a wide range of banks, governments and other financial institutions throughout the region. The Bank of New York Mellon has been committed to Lebanon since 1963, offering issuer services, correspondent banking services, as well as custody and asset management services. As the global leader in corporate trust and depositary receipts services, we see Lebanon as one of our historic and most important markets and we look forward to working closely with issuers in the future."

About AmCham Lebanon www.amcham.org.lb

The American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce/AmCham Lebanon is an official non-profit organization aiming at developing business and trade relations between Lebanon and the United States. The A.L.C.C., member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and part of the broad network of AmChams, is supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce and operates from its offices in Beirut Central District (under decree 1929 from the Ministry of Economy & Trade in Lebanon). It serves as a platform for exchanges, investment contacts, and productive meetings to advance commerce between the two countries. One of its main objectives is to provide information and a network of contacts to potential US investors in Lebanon as well as Lebanese investors in the US. Membership is open to companies and individuals with direct US business dealings, and to US citizens residing in Lebanon who have business in the US or Lebanon.

About Auerbach Grayson & Company (www.agco.com)

 Founded in 1993 in New York City, Auerbach Grayson offers a full-range of global in-depth research, trade execution and settlement services in equities, derivatives and fixed-income instruments to U.S. institutional clients through its network of local broking partners in 121 countries. The firm also provides and implements hedging and arbitrage strategies. Auerbach Grayson is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SPIC).

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. The company is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing superior asset management and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, clearing services and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has $20.2 trillion in assets under custody and administration, $928 billion in assets under management and services more than $11 trillion in outstanding debt. Additional information is available at www.bnymellon.com.