News

Following the news and posts circulating on some social media platforms claiming that 'Sidon Municipality refused to allow the Civil Defense Center in Tyre to use public land,' the municipality clarifies the following facts: Sidon Municipality denies preventing or opposing the reception of Civil Defense personnel and vehicles who were evacuated from their centers due to Israeli alerts, affirming its continued support for national, humanitarian, and relief institutions. The Mayor of Sidon made contacts with the Directorate-General of Civil Defense, the Governor of Southern Lebanon, and city officials. Additionally, MP Dr. Abdul Rahman Bazzi contacted the Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior and Municipalities to help secure a suitable site for the personnel and vehicles. While the Civil Defense Directorate insisted on a location at the northern entrance of the city near the Martyr Rafic Hariri Sports City, the municipality proposed an alternative site on its own land at the southern entrance near the new port. The municipality's proposal was based on logistical considerations to facilitate vehicle movement toward the south and avoid traffic congestion inside the city, ensuring a quick response to emergency missions .The municipality explains that the property located at the northern entrance of the city, including the Martyr Rafic Hariri Sports City and its facilities and immediate surroundings, is listed in the municipality-approved disaster and emergency management contingency plan and is designated for logistical and operational tasks related to emergencies, which requires keeping it ready for this role .The municipality emphasizes that the general directorate of civil defense's move to Sarafand later was based on its decision to position itself at another available civil defense center there, and not because of any refusal from the Sidon Municipality .The municipality calls on the media and activists to be accurate and objective in reporting the news, and not to be drawn into inaccurate conclusions that don’t reflect the reality of what happened. It also affirms its support for the civil defense and all relief and humanitarian agencies working in service of citizens and the community, and its constant commitment to making decisions that serve the public interest and ensure proper management of municipal facilities.