Tripoli at the Heart of Karami-US Ambassador Meeting: Investment and Development Priority

The head of the “Karama Movement,” MP Faisal Karami, hosted the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michael Issa, accompanied by a delegation of embassy administrators and staff. The meeting was attended by MPs Taha Naji, Karim Kabbara, Haydar Nasser, and Jamil Aboud; North Governor Iman al-Rafii; Toufic Dibosy, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Tripoli and the North; Hani al-Shaarani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Rashid Karami International Fair; Hassan Dinaoui, Head of the Special Economic Zone in Tripoli; Iskandar Bandali, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Port of Tripoli; Abdul Hamid Karima, Mayor of Tripoli; Mustafa Saada, President of the Union of Municipalities of the Miniyeh-Danniyeh District; Khaled Badra, Mayor of Baqaafarine; and Saba Zreik.

A statement issued by Karami’s office noted that “the occasion provided an opportunity to present the priorities and development foundations of Tripoli and the North, alongside discussions on the Lebanese situation and political and economic developments.” It added that “the meeting gained significance from being held at the Karami House, with broad parliamentary and institutional attendance, allowing for a comprehensive presentation of the city’s needs and potential, and placing its strategic projects at the heart of the dialogue with the US Ambassador, based on Tripoli’s role as a cornerstone in any path toward economic recovery and development in Lebanon.”

The statement recalled that “the meeting addressed developmental and living conditions in Tripoli and the North, and the need to activate vital institutions and economic entities, and support projects capable of stimulating investment, creating jobs, and improving service delivery. The discussion highlighted the city’s facilities and institutions, which can play a pivotal role in the national economy, provided they are equipped with the necessary conditions for operation, development, and support.”

The statement pointed out that “Ambassador Issa listened to the heads of institutions, who presented their perspectives on the future of Tripoli and the North, their vision for developing the facilities under their responsibility, and the challenges they face, as well as available investment and cooperation opportunities. This dialogue painted a picture of a city possessing elements for revival, striving to translate its potential into practical projects that would positively impact the lives of its residents and those of the North.”

The statement clarified that “Ambassador Issa expressed his satisfaction with the consensus he observed among attendees regarding the city’s priorities, and with the interest in developing its institutions and formulating a vision for its economic and developmental future. The meeting, which brought together Karami and the Ambassador at his residence, provided space for direct dialogue between the US Ambassador and representatives of the city and its institutions, thereby giving the visit a dimension that transcends protocol to address the actual files concerning Tripoli and Miniyeh-Danniyeh. It also underscored the importance of unifying efforts around the city’s interests, presenting clear demands and a vision based on its capacities, facilities, and opportunities, as a key partner in Lebanon’s revival.”