Following the meeting held on Tuesday with Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam, in the presence of Beirut Governor Judge Marwan Abboud, Beirut Municipal Council President Mr. Ibrahim Zaidan, and a number of Beirut MPs, a meeting was held today with Minister of Interior and Municipalities Brigadier General Ahmad Al-Hajjar.
The meeting was attended by Beirut Governor Judge Marwan Abboud; Beirut Municipal Council President Engineer Ibrahim Zaidan; and Beirut MPs Fouad Makhzoumi, Ghassan Hasbani, Nicolas Sehnaoui, Mohammad Khawaja, Hagop Terzian, Faisal Al-Sayegh, Paula Yacoubian, Adnan Traboulsi, Nadim Gemayel, Edgar Traboulsi, and Amin Sherri.
Following the meeting, MP Fouad Makhzoumi delivered the following statement:
“I would like to thank Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar for hosting this meeting, which aimed to move from identifying challenges to implementation and follow-up, in line with our shared responsibility toward Beirut and its residents.
“During the meeting, we reaffirmed the following priorities:
1. Addressing the Issue of Shelters
Finding humane and sustainable solutions for families living in shelters, tents, and along the waterfront, and providing suitable alternatives that safeguard their dignity and stability.
2. Protecting the 2026–2027 Academic Year
Expediting efforts to address the situation of public and private schools being used as shelters and securing the necessary alternatives before the start of the next academic year. This is essential to protect our children’s right to education and prevent any delays or disruption to the school year.
3. Finding a Sustainable Solution to the Waste Crisis
Adopting a comprehensive and sustainable national plan for waste management in accordance with the highest environmental and health standards, with direct support from the Lebanese state, given the scale of the challenge, which exceeds the municipality’s capacity alone.
4. Cleaning Beirut’s Beaches and Protecting the Marine Environment
“I reiterated the Makhzoumi Foundation’s commitment to providing the necessary pipes for the marine water discharge outlets along Beirut’s coast. We called on the Lebanese government, through the Council for Development and Reconstruction, to expedite the required installation works to complete this project, helping to clean the beaches and ensure a healthy and safe marine environment for our children and families.
5. Providing Financial Support for Beirut
“We emphasized that Beirut Municipality and the Beirut Governorate are facing exceptional burdens as a result of the security situation, the repercussions of displacement, and declining municipal fee collections, while the costs of services, maintenance, and infrastructure continue to rise.
“We therefore called for a fixed annual financial contribution from the state to support the capital and enable it to continue providing essential services.
6. Expediting Municipal Projects and Contracts
Removing administrative obstacles and accelerating the necessary approvals to enable the Municipal Council to implement development and service projects and plans within the required timeframes.
7. Filling Vacant Positions at Beirut Municipality
Expediting appointments and filling administrative, technical, and engineering vacancies that hinder the efficient functioning of municipal operations.
8. Removing Encroachments and Strengthening Law Enforcement
Enhancing security and stability in the capital by strengthening cooperation and coordination between the security forces and Beirut Municipal Police, removing violations and encroachments on public and private property, and reinforcing the authority of the state and the rule of law.
9. Ensuring Fair Treatment for the Beirut Fire Brigade
Approving the promotions and entitlements due to Fire Brigade personnel in recognition of their sacrifices and their national and humanitarian role.
10. Launching the Automation and Digital Transformation Project
Launching a comprehensive modernization initiative for Beirut Municipality and the Beirut Governorate through automation and digital transformation, with the aim of simplifying citizens’ transactions, increasing transparency and efficiency, and improving public services.
11. Preparing a Comprehensive Master Plan for Beirut
Immediately initiating the necessary procedures to enable the Beirut Governorate and Municipal Council to engage specialized consultants to prepare the studies and tender documents required to develop an integrated and sustainable vision for the capital’s development over the coming years.
“We have seen a clear commitment from Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Al-Hajjar to following up on these issues. We also appreciate the support expressed by Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam and look forward to translating these understandings into concrete implementation measures under clear timelines, beginning next week.
“The people of Beirut are no longer waiting for more promises; they are waiting for results. We will continue following up on these issues with the government, ministries, and relevant administrations until the outcomes that the capital’s residents deserve are achieved.
“Beirut was and will always remain the capital of Lebanon. It is the duty of the state, through all its institutions, to provide the security, services, infrastructure, and healthy environment that befit the city and its people.”