Aoun: Reinforcing the port's role is essential to restoring Lebanon's economic and logistical position
Beirut - Mansour Shaaban: Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun stated that “the launch of the container terminal expansion project at Beirut Port will have a positive impact on the Lebanese economy as a whole, by facilitating trade, imports, and exports, enhancing Lebanon’s competitiveness, attracting investments, and creating new job opportunities.”
He added during a meeting with Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamni, CMA CGM Group Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé, Beirut Port Authority and Investment Board Chairman Marwan Al-Nafie, and the Group’s Regional Director Joe Dakaq, that “reinforcing the port’s role is a fundamental part of restoring Lebanon’s economic and logistical position in the region, attracting further investments, and creating new opportunities for the Lebanese economy.”
Aoun also reviewed with State Security General Edgar Laoundes the security situation in the country and the measures taken by the agency to activate its presence in the south generally and in the Nabatieh area specifically, in implementation of the deliberations of the security meeting chaired by the President of the Republic last Wednesday. The discussion also covered State Security’s work in combating corruption and regulating operations within official administrations and institutions.
Regarding the Paris Conference for Supporting the Army and Security Forces, a report by the “Lebanese-French Coordination Committee” noted that “Arab and international support for legitimate military and security institutions presents a crucial opportunity for Lebanon to restore its statehood, enhance stability, and set it on the path to peace and prosperity, provided it is accompanied by the actual implementation of the state’s sovereign and reform commitments.”
In this context, the committee, which includes organizations such as the Lebanese Gathering in France (CLF), the Lebanese Forum in Europe (FLE), Lebanese Citizens Around the World (MCLM), Rooted, Horizon Libanais, and the Civil Impact Forum (CIH) as the committee’s Lebanese advisory organization, sent a letter to President Aoun, delivered by a delegation to Lebanese Ambassador to Paris Rabih Al-Shater. The letter affirmed that “restoring sovereignty requires the actual implementation of government decisions and the state’s full exercise of its responsibilities in security, defense, and border control.” It added: “Hence, it is imperative to implement the decisions taken on August 5 and 7, 2025, and March 2, 2026, with wisdom and firmness, including all illegal armed groups without exception. Furthermore, while a ceasefire and strengthening the Armed Forces are necessary, they cannot replace the political will required to implement sovereign decisions.”
The committee stressed “the importance of Lebanon reclaiming its historical role as a country of encounter and dialogue, away from regional axes and confrontations, through an external policy based on positive neutrality alongside a negotiation track. The success of this track is a national priority to safeguard Lebanon’s interests, starting with the Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and respect for Lebanese sovereignty, leading to preventing a return to cycles of violence, and opening the path for reconstruction and the return of displaced persons and hostages, with the Lebanese state leading the reconstruction process transparently and with support from Arab and international partners.”
On the ground, the Israeli army carried out further long-range explosions, causing strong tremors that extended from the town of Mansouriye to the Sidon district, targeting infrastructure and residential neighborhoods. Its warplanes launched two consecutive airstrikes on this town, destroying most of the official school. Field reports indicated Israeli troop movements in the Wadi Al-Jamal area, part of the Mays Al-Jabal city.
In Marjayoun, the Al-Khardali road was completely blocked by rocks and debris from the explosion of the “Ali Al-Taher” facility, whose dust and remnants covered roads, cars, and homes. Residents of villages in the Marjayoun district appealed to the Southern Lebanon Water Authority to ensure water pumping to their areas.
