Prime Minister Nawaf Salam arrives at the Saida Serail on Thursday Oct. 16 as part of a tour of the city. (Photo credit: Muntasser Abdallah/L'Orient Today)
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam conducted a tour around Saida, south Lebanon, Thursday to "review development projects in the city," according to local news agencies. While there, he stated that his government's plan was to "restore the state," reiterating his demand that the Israeli army withdraw from the border areas it continues to occupy and cease its attacks.
The visit comes a week after Speaker of the House Nabih Berri criticized the Salam government, accusing it of completely disregarding the inhabitants of southern Lebanon. Salam responded to the criticism immediately, and pointed out that this tour took place "less than 48 hours after our government won a vote of confidence."
The tour included a visit to a waste treatment center, a wastewater treatment plant, the city’s public hospital, the Saida Serail, and finally its municipality.
Speaking from Saida's Serail, he stressed that he should have come to the city sooner, regretting the "circumstances" that repeatedly delayed this visit. "My presence here today is intended to reaffirm that the state is here," he said, emphasizing that his government's project is "the restoration of the state."
According to him, this involves "strengthening the security apparatus by increasing its personnel, salaries, and equipment." This is necessary as the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is set to end in late 2026, "which will require the army and security forces to fill the void" in the area south of the Litani River.
In this context, the government is working to organize an international conference "in the next two months" to support security institutions. He also expressed his "optimism" about the upcoming organization of another international conference "for economic recovery and reconstruction," even though the government currently does not have "sufficient resources" for reconstruction.
A reconstruction that the government is "committed" to launching and that Salam has been calling for "since day one," he stressed, while Nabih Berri also warned the government against refusing to convene Parliament if the draft budget sent by the Cabinet does not include funding for reconstruction. "I hope we will receive aid, because what has happened so far is not enough. We have a $250 million loan from the World Bank, and I hope that Parliament will meet soon to approve it," he continued.
Regarding the general situation in the South, Mr. Salam reiterated his call for a total withdrawal of the Israeli army from the areas still occupied and an immediate halt to military operations and Israeli attacks, which he described as "a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement." The government is also closely and "continuously" monitoring the issue of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel.
Nawaf Salam had already made a tour of southern Lebanon in February, focusing on political and security issues. He visited Tyre, Marjayoun, Khiam, and Nabatiyeh shortly after Israel withdrew from most of the areas its army had occupied in southern Lebanon following the latest war against Hezbollah.
The 'great needs' of Saida and its surroundings
He first visited the city's Turkish hospital, which was inaugurated with great fanfare in 2010. Intended to become a reference center for treating severe burns — a critical gap in the region — the Turkish hospital has never actually opened its doors due to a lack of funding.
It only operated partially during the Israeli war against Lebanon last fall to accommodate the influx of wounded, after attacks by the Israeli state rendered eight hospitals in the country non-operational.
Salam was "able to see the needs of the facility firsthand," the National News Agency (NNA) reported, notably as he spoke with the chair of the hospital's board, Mona Tiriaki, as well as several staff members. He toured the various departments, accompanied by Environment Minister Tamara Elzein, Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny, and Energy and Water Minister Joe Saddi, added NNA. Afterward, Salam visited the fish market at the port of Saida.
From the government hospital in Saida, he noted the "great needs" of the city and its infrastructure. "I will not make promises we cannot keep, but we will work within our means to meet these needs, as we do in all regions of Lebanon," he said. For his part, the director of the facility, Ahmad Sammadi, stressed that "the main obstacle for public hospitals is ensuring the continuity of staff salaries, and it is necessary to establish a clear mechanism for paying them without delay." " Local MP Abdel Rahman Bizri, who is also a doctor and was present during the visit, called for the creation of a radiotherapy center for cancer treatment in public hospitals.
Salam had already toured south Lebanon in February, then with a political and security focus. He visited Sour, Marjayoun, Khiam, and Nabatieh, shortly after the Israeli withdrawal from most areas that its army had occupied, following its latest war against Hezbollah.
A week ago, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri harshly criticized the Salam government, accusing it of being completely uninterested in the residents of the south. Salam responded to the criticism, notably citing this tour, which was conducted "less than 48 hours after our government obtained a vote of confidence."
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