As part of the Dialogue Forum’s series of meetings, the President of the National Dialogue Party, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, welcomed a number of Beirut community leaders at Beit al-Bahr. They discussed the latest developments in Lebanon in general and Beirut in particular.
The meeting included a broad review of the political and economic situation, the challenges facing Lebanon on all fronts—particularly the social and financial challenges—and upcoming national milestones. Participants also discussed the potential repercussions of the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force, on Lebanon and, specifically, on government formation.
MP Makhzoumi called for the swift formation of a government comprising highly principled individuals with expertise in a range of fields. He urged the caretaker government to fulfil its responsibilities until a new government is formed and to find solutions to urgent financial and social challenges.
He also called for an immediate solution to the problem preventing citizens from withdrawing their salaries from banks, reiterating that these measures were unlawful and illegitimate.
Beirut Municipality’s Assistance
Regarding the assistance provided by Beirut Municipality, Makhzoumi expressed his rejection of the way matters were being managed, particularly as he said the assistance was being distributed for political purposes and to serve specific political groups, despite the difficult circumstances facing Beirut’s residents.
He pointed out that the municipality’s spending comes from the taxes paid by the people of Beirut. He stressed that its priorities should be development projects that help revive the capital and provide genuine support to residents, rather than serving political objectives.
Makhzoumi called on the Minister of Interior to investigate the alleged waste of municipal funds on last year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, which cost billions, compared with this year’s celebrations, whose cost did not exceed $25,000.
He stressed that the period following the October 17 uprising could not be the same as before, stating that the Lebanese people would hold accountable anyone who had taken public money for personal or improper use. He added that the people of Beirut were an integral part of the broader popular uprising against corruption.