News

A meeting was held at the Municipality building upon the invitation of Mayor Eng. Mustafa Hijazi, with the attendance of Deputy Mayor Dr. Ahmad Akra, bringing together Sidon’s political figures, including the city’s MPs Dr. Abdel Rahman Al-Bizri and Dr. Osama Saad, Vice President of the Future Movement and President of the Hariri Foundation Mrs. Bahia Hariri, and Deputy Head of the Political Bureau of the Islamic Group in Lebanon, Dr. Bassam Hammoud.The attendees affirmed that the city of Sidon has always been, and will remain, a city of solidarity and support, committed to its national and humanitarian role toward displaced families, based on its values and history. They stressed that protecting displaced people and preserving their dignity does not conflict with protecting the rights of the host community and the interests of the city’s residents. Rather, maintaining a balance between both is the true guarantee of stability.They also expressed deep concern over the prolonged duration of the current crisis and its ongoing repercussions, amid the continued escalation by the Israeli enemy and direct threats targeting villages and towns within the Sidon district, which has placed the city geographically and administratively on the front lines of confrontation.These developments have worsened the displacement crisis and increased pressure on the city’s services and public infrastructure, amid the lack of sufficient resources and capabilities available to the municipality and the local community.The attendees renewed their appeal and call to the Lebanese state, through all its ministries and official institutions, as well as donor agencies and international organizations, to provide immediate and exceptional financial and logistical support to the city of Sidon. They emphasized that this support has become an urgent necessity to continue ensuring the humanitarian dignity of displaced people, while preserving the resilience of the host community and safeguarding the city’s security and stability.The participants also affirmed that civil peace and stability in the city are a red line, and that any incitement, rumors, or exploitation of the crisis to create tension or discord is completely rejected and condemned, due to the direct threat it poses to the city’s security and social unity.They called upon the security and military forces, through all their agencies, to intensify their measures and strengthen their presence in the city to address violations and prevent any breach of security.The meeting concluded with the confirmation that Sidon Municipality, political forces, and civil society are partners in managing this sensitive phase, and that their meetings will remain regular and open to follow up on all developments, ensuring that Sidon continues to fulfill its humanitarian role while maintaining security and social stability for the city’s residents, communities, and displaced people.