Rasamny joins expanded meeting on Southern recovery and reconstruction
Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny participated in an expanded meeting with mayors and heads of municipal federations from South Lebanon, Nabatieh and the Western Bekaa, alongside Hashem Haidar, to discuss recovery plans and the return of residents to war-affected areas.
Officials from Amal Movement and Hezbollah called for accelerating reconstruction through comprehensive damage assessments, stronger coordination with municipalities, flexible implementation mechanisms, and greater government support to help residents return.
Rasamny described the recent war as catastrophic, particularly for southern Lebanon, stressing that the government has a duty to move quickly on recovery efforts. He said the ministerial committee meets weekly to coordinate the recovery process, noting that work has already begun on reopening roads and clearing rubble in safe areas, with infrastructure rehabilitation and road paving to follow.
He estimated the cost of the war at around $20 billion, emphasizing that reconstruction cannot be achieved without international assistance. Rasamny also called for empowering municipalities with greater financial resources and broader responsibilities, pledging to continue working closely with local authorities. He announced that the next coordination meetings will be held in Nabatieh and Tyre to assess local needs and review ongoing works.
Haidar said debris removal and damage assessments are progressing, adding that the government has begun providing temporary housing units and housing allowances for affected families. Municipal leaders concluded the meeting by outlining the extent of damage in their communities and urging the swift implementation of recovery plans and essential services to facilitate residents’ return.
