Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri meets with the World Bank Country Director for the Middle East Department Jean-Christophe Carret in Ain al-Tineh. (Credit: Berri's office)
BEIRUT — Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called for the "reconstruction plan to secure loans for farmers, industrialists, and small business owners" by the end of this year during a meeting with Jean-Christophe Carret, the World Bank's country director for the Middle East, on Tuesday in Ain al-Tineh.
Berri's office said the discussion focused on rubble removal, reconstruction projects, as well as the rehabilitation of infrastructure, facilities and institutions damaged during the recent war with Israel.
Berri inquired about the details of the plan being prepared by the World Bank, stressing that the plan should include "land reclamation and securing loans for farmers, industrialists and small business owners to enable them to rise again no later than the end of this year."
He also praised the World Bank's willingness and readiness to engage with Lebanon in rebuilding and addressing the results of the Israeli aggression.
Meanwhile, Carret reaffirmed the World Bank's commitment to working with the Lebanese government to "ensure the proper implementation, functioning, and sustainability of the reconstruction process."
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which lasted from October 2023 till November 2024, left lots of buildings and infrastructure completely destroyed, especially in South Lebanon, the Bekaa and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which began with cross-border clashes on Oct. 8, 2023, escalated into full-scale war in Lebanon on Sept. 23. The war resulted in widespread destruction, particularly in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa and Beirut's southern suburbs. A World Bank report estimated that 95,000 housing units have been damaged. A 60-day cease-fire agreement between Lebanon and Israel was reached on Nov. 27 and is currently under implementation.