Following the meeting held yesterday by MP Fouad Makhzoumi, accompanied by a number of Beirut MPs, with Beirut Governor Judge Marwan Abboud and Beirut Municipal Council President Engineer Ibrahim Zaidan, a meeting was held today with Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Al-Hajjar; Beirut Governor Judge Marwan Abboud; Beirut Municipal Council President Engineer Ibrahim Zaidan; and Beirut MPs Ghassan Hasbani, Nicolas Sehnaoui, Mohammad Khawaja, Hagop Terzian, Faisal Al-Sayegh, Paula Yacoubian, Adnan Traboulsi, Nadim Gemayel, and Amin Sherri.
The participants presented a number of urgent issues affecting the capital and its residents and called for a clear timetable to implement the required measures and follow up on them with the relevant authorities.
1. Making Beirut Safe and Free of Illegal Weapons
The participants stressed the need for the full and immediate implementation of government decisions aimed at extending the state’s authority throughout Beirut. They called for all necessary measures to make the capital a safe and stable city, free of illegal weapons and armed displays, by strengthening the presence of the Lebanese Army and legitimate security forces and enabling them to enforce the law and maintain security and public order.
2. Addressing the Situation of Families Living in Shelters and Along the Waterfront
The participants discussed the conditions of families living in tents and informal shelters along Beirut’s waterfront. They stressed that these conditions are incompatible with human dignity and cannot constitute a permanent solution for citizens who have been forced to leave their homes or are no longer able to secure decent housing.
They called for a comprehensive humanitarian and social plan providing suitable alternative accommodation, whether at Camille Chamoun Sports City or in other appropriate facilities. The plan should preserve the dignity of these families while restoring order to the waterfront and public properties. A committee of MPs was formed to follow up on this issue.
3. Finding a Sustainable Solution to the Waste Crisis
The participants emphasized the need for a sustainable solution to Beirut’s waste crisis through a comprehensive national plan for waste collection, sorting, and treatment in accordance with the highest environmental and health standards.
They stressed that the Lebanese state must lead and directly support this effort, given that the scale of the crisis and its repercussions exceed the current capacity of Beirut Municipality alone. This is a national responsibility requiring coordinated efforts by all relevant parties and an end to the temporary solutions that have burdened the capital and its residents for many years.
4. Facilitating the Implementation of Municipal Projects and Contracts
The participants underscored the importance of facilitating and expediting approvals for municipal contracts and projects. They called on the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities to provide the necessary administrative and technical support to accelerate the completion of procedures related to the approval and award of contracts.
These measures would enable Beirut Municipality to implement its development and service projects within the required timeframes, strengthen its ability to respond to citizens’ needs, and improve the quality of services provided.
5. Expediting the Filling of Vacant Positions at Beirut Municipality
The participants stressed the need to fill key vacancies at Beirut Municipality as soon as possible, enabling it to perform its duties to the fullest and enhancing its capacity to meet residents’ needs.
6. Removing Encroachments and Strengthening Cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and Beirut Municipal Police
The participants called for support for the municipality in addressing encroachments on public and private property. They also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation among the Ministry of Interior, Beirut Municipal Police, and the Municipal Council to enforce municipal decisions and remove violations and illegal occupations, thereby upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the rights of citizens and the state.
7. Ensuring Fair Treatment for Beirut Municipal Fire Brigade Personnel
The participants stressed the need to ensure fair treatment for members of the Beirut Municipal Fire Brigade by approving their due promotions in recognition of their sacrifices and their national and humanitarian role in protecting lives and property and serving the residents of the capital.
The participants noted that the Prime Minister had demonstrated an understanding of these demands and a willingness to follow up on them. They expressed their expectation that these discussions would translate into concrete measures within clear timeframes, strengthening Beirut’s position as a safe, orderly, and clean capital and ensuring that its residents receive the services and living conditions they deserve.
To this end, follow-up meetings with Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Al-Hajjar will begin next week.