Lebanese Prime Minister: Security and Safety Are Key to the Return of Southerners
Beirut, Feb 2 (KUNA) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam affirmed on Friday that security and stability are the foundation for the return of southerners, announcing the launch of 23 tenders for projects in the Nabatieh district in southern Lebanon.
Speaking during his visit to the city of Nabatieh, Salam said, “I am returning to Nabatieh for the third time since the formation of our government, a gesture expressing a commitment I wished to translate into follow-up and action.”
He noted that the government has worked with international institutions to secure the necessary resources to launch a recovery and reconstruction process, the path for which had been initiated months ago after securing “the first package of funding, paving the way for a transition from needs assessment to implementation.”
He stressed that his presence was intended to reaffirm the return of state institutions to their work, as they constitute “an essential part of the return of life to this beloved city, and will serve to support the resilience of its kind residents and consolidate their presence on their land.”
He pointed out that the projects launched today might be limited relative to the scale of needs in Nabatieh and the south, clarifying that the magnitude of needs exceeds the capacities of the Lebanese state and its ability to bear these burdens alone, requiring substantial financing.
He said, “Your priorities will remain our priorities: halting Israeli aggression, the complete Israeli withdrawal from our lands, the safe and dignified return of people to their homes, the restoration of their livelihoods, and the restoration of life to the cities, towns, and villages of the south.”
He added, “The real guarantee before us is to continue mobilizing all the capabilities and support we can muster to achieve the complete Israeli withdrawal and to rebuild a capable and effective state, a single state for all its citizens, with one army and one decision, particularly regarding war and peace.” He emphasized that “this is the path to ensure we do not again find ourselves facing a new war, new pretexts for aggression against Lebanon, or a new expansion of the occupation.”
He continued, “As for saying that we can wait for a major regional settlement, that is not an option for Lebanon, because such a settlement may or may not come, or may be delayed for years, and if it does occur, it may come at our expense.”
He noted that the presence of Finance Minister Yassin Jaber, Interior and Municipal Affairs Minister Mohammad Haidar, and security leaders during the visit was intended to underscore the role of security forces and enhance their presence and capacity to carry out their duties.
Earlier last September, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun visited the city of Nabatieh, at which time he affirmed the state’s support for the people of the south and their assistance. (End) A.Y.B./T.M.A.
