Prince takes in art of Lebanon

Prince Charles spoke of the vibrancy and vigour of Lebanese art

The Prince of Wales paid tribute to the bravery of Lebanese people as he viewed art from the Middle East country.

He was attending Lebanon: The Artists' View II, a showcase of post-1974 art held at a London hotel.

The prince was joined by Camilla Parker-Bowles at the event, which was supported by the British Lebanese Association.

The prince donated a signed watercolour for a charity auction to raise money for orphans and other Lebanese causes.

The Prince, who attended the event with Camilla Parker Bowles, joked to the audience: "I have contributed two of my own amateur paintings.

"They look better and better the further away you get."

Charles said he hoped his paintings captured some of the feeling and landscape of Lebanon.

Their "vibrancy and vigour" reflected the "remarkable" nation which they had come from, he added.

He spoke of the resilience of the Lebanese people during years of brutal civil war.

He attended the event with Camilla Parker-Bowles

The prince said: "It tore my heart out just watching what was happening to your country."

Discussing the reconstruction of Beirut, he said: "We are in danger of being submerged in a tide of homogenisation. It seems to me absolutely essential to retain that cultural diversity.

"The great secret is how to create communities, not just housing estates, but real communities that actually reflect the human spirit."

The Prince spoke of his desire to visit the Lebanon.

He said: "I hope that I should be able to reach your country in due course."