Mohammed Ben Sulayem Returns to Rally Lebanon Spotlight

By James Mercer • 15 September 2026, 08:14 • Updated: 15 September 2026, 09:42 • 3 mins read

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA president and four-time Rally Lebanon winner, revisited the event's 48th edition, meeting President Joseph Aoun and reaffirming Lebanon's pivotal role in Middle East rallying. His presence signals renewed support for the region's motorsport future.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem's visit to Rally Lebanon was more than a formality. As FIA president and a four-time winner of the event, his return for the 48th edition put Lebanon's rally scene back in the regional spotlight.

At Baabda Palace, Ben Sulayem met with President Joseph Aoun to talk about the future of motorsport in the Middle East. He credited Rally Lebanon with shaping his own career and giving Arab drivers a place to compete at a high level. "Rally Lebanon gave me some of my best memories in motorsport," he said, describing the event's atmosphere and its impact on both drivers and fans.

The 2026 Rally of Lebanon covered a total distance of 678.37 km, including 189.77 km of special stages and 488.6 km of liaison sections.

Rally-Maps

Ben Sulayem's record in Lebanon stands out: wins in 1987, 1991, 1998, and 1999, all part of his 14 Middle East Rally Championship titles. Lebanese leaders have recognized his achievements-he received the President's Cup from Amin Gemayel in 1987 and the Order of Honour from Emile Lahoud in 1999, marking him as a key figure in Arab motorsport.

His latest visit, invited by the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL) and its president Nabil "Billy" Karam, came as the event wrapped up in Kaslik. Roger Feghali and co-driver Joseph Matar took first place at the 2026 Rally of Lebanon, a result that reinforced the event's reputation for tough competition. Ben Sulayem used the occasion to emphasize Lebanon's place in the FIA's plans for the Middle East Rally Championship, calling the rally "deeply rooted in the region's motorsport history" and "a cornerstone for tarmac rallying in the Middle East," according to Arab News.

The local motorsport community welcomed Ben Sulayem's recognition and his push for continued investment in the championship. The ATCL's hospitality and reunions with old friends gave the visit a personal touch, but the main message was clear: Lebanon's rally scene is being positioned as a model for the region's development.

The 48th Rally of Lebanon, held from 11-13 September 2026, served as the fourth round of the 2026 FIA Middle East Rally Championship, with the event's date, championship status, and host ATCL confirmed by the FIA. Mohammed Ben Sulayem met President Joseph Aoun on 14 September 2026 to discuss the rally's strategic role in securing the long-term future of the regional championship.

FIA and Arab News

Motorsport isn't the only area seeing growth in the region. As reported earlier, UAE athletes have also made headlines with record-breaking performances, reflecting a broader push for sporting achievement and infrastructure across the Middle East.

Ben Sulayem's return to Rally Lebanon signals the FIA's commitment to Lebanon's role in regional rallying and its future. Whether this renewed attention leads to more support and opportunities for the next generation of Arab rally drivers remains to be seen. For now, Lebanon's rally community has reason to feel at the center of Middle Eastern motorsport.

UAE CUE Sports Desk

James Mercer

James Mercer is the Founder, Owner, Publisher and Managing Director of UAE CUE Sports, where he oversees editorial direction and the publication's development across the Emirates. He writes about UAE sport, sports media, major events, venues, sports business and the wider relationship between participation, audiences and the country's sporting industry.