The "Progressive Graduates Association" celebrated today, Saturday, the honoring of former Director General of Civil Organization Engineer Elias Al-Tawil, under the patronage and presence of President Walid Jumblatt, at a ceremony held in the National Library Theater hall in Baaqline. The event commenced with the Lebanese national anthem, followed by a welcome to the attendees and an introduction by the representative of the "Progressive Graduates Association" in the Chouf, Dr. Mayyada Abu Ajram, who highlighted that the association "was established in 2001, bringing together a select group of intellectuals, cadres, and scientific talents across its various sectors, with activities that have kept pace with emerging local events and crises, particularly in health sectors. In trade union affairs, the engineering sector has emerged, striving to continue and organize trade union work to maintain the profession's level primarily for the benefit of engineers and to restore the association's pioneering role on all fronts for the development and growth of human societies."
Engineer Firas Abu Dhiab, speaking on behalf of the "Progressive Engineers" sector, stated: "Our meeting today is not merely to honor Engineer Elias Al-Tawil as an individual, but to celebrate a long journey of work and giving. Throughout Elias Al-Tawil's service, he has been known for his distinctive politeness in expressing committed convictions and his clear seriousness in implementing rules and laws, acknowledged by all within and outside the civil organization for his good performance, clear thinking, and gentlemanly demeanor, as well as his wisdom in addressing matters." Abu Dhiab enumerated the numerous projects executed by the honoree during his tenure at the Civil Organization Office in the Chouf, confirming his active presence "in establishing the proper image of civil organization in Lebanon and enhancing the role of the General Directorate of Civil Organization as an effective public utility for developing strategies, plans, and projects while preserving open spaces and the green cover, which should be the primary criterion in establishing these guiding designs." He added: "This is an occasion to express our gratitude to President Walid Jumblatt, the guardian of the mountainous region and the unity of living together, and to say thank you, Walid Jumblatt, for your daily calls to preserve our environment and heritage."
In turn, Engineer Ali Ramadan, Director General of Civil Organization, began his speech with emotional words about the various positions held by Al-Tawil, which "are filled with diverse regional, political, and sectarian details, yet he has always maintained an even distance from everyone without bias or variety in positions, relying solely on the law, logic, and the art of calm." He continued: "From Jezzine to Sidon to Beirut as head of the planning department, to Jounieh and back to Sidon, eventually settling for a long period in the Chouf district… this beautiful area with its divine nature, which hosts us today from the heartbeat of Baaqline. Engineer Elias Al-Tawil balanced during his mission in this area between law, beauty, and the environment, as not everything legal is beautiful, nor everything beautiful is environmental, and not all environmental matters are practically feasible for driving investment and launching development work... I may not exaggerate in saying that the support Professor Elias received from the Chouf region and its people, who are keen on its natural and environmental purity, significantly facilitated his mission." He concluded by thanking the Progressive Graduates Association for "this noble initiative. While honoring Professor Elias Al-Tawil, they also honor the General Directorate of Civil Organization."
On his part, former Director General of Civil Organization Engineer Elias Al-Tawil remarked: "This is a pivotal moment in my life where I stand before you at the end of a journey that began in 1982 and ended on August 25, 2023, a journey that has witnessed many twists between achievements and failures, lasting 41 years in administration, culminating in my appointment to the General Directorate of Civil Organization about twelve years ago." Al-Tawil spoke about the reality of administration in Lebanon, which does not differ from its social, economic, and political reality, "as it has been exhausted by destructive conflicts that have intensified for nearly fifty years." He noted that "despite the harsh conditions, the administration managed to maintain, at least minimally, its structure and unity, and was able to ensure the continuity of the public utility in near-total absence of operational work components, especially in the last four years, where the basic daily operational necessities were lost, and employees lost the means for a decent living," expressing gratitude to the department heads, directors, and employees in the central administration and regional offices for their cooperation in managing the crisis during this difficult phase and navigating it with minimal losses.
He noted: "I had the honor of meeting His Excellency Mr. Walid Jumblatt thirty years ago when I was appointed head of the Civil Organization Department in the Chouf. He wanted his region to be a model for ancient mountainous areas, insisting on preserving its architectural character, natural environment, and ecosystem. From him, we learn that nothing is impossible when there is a solid will. In the most challenging circumstances, he never gave in to populist decisions issued at times to facilitate violations under various titles. His focus has always been on preserving the region's memory through adopting specific systems and conditions governing construction rules," thanking Jumblatt for the honor bestowed upon him.
President Walid Jumblatt, in his speech, stated: "We met thirty years ago, and there was a moment of understanding when we met. Thanks to Elias Al-Tawil, with the greater effort owed to Elias Al-Tawil, the Chouf region, which has always been beautiful, will remain so, and this effort also belongs to some mayors who understood this moment, while others did not, as Elias Al-Tawil mentioned in his speech, being 'populist.'" He added: "We also met to maintain the sides of the roads, heritage, and to attempt to blend environment, heritage, and the necessity of reconstruction, and we succeeded to some extent," adding "Today, I thank you, Elias Al-Tawil, for what you have done, and I hope the Progressive Graduates Association continues on the path that Elias Al-Tawil outlined, which Professor Ali Ramadan explained to us its importance, and we aim to keep this region beautiful despite some distortions that face us at the entrance of the Chouf or in the Mazraat Al-Chouf area or elsewhere."
At the end of the ceremony, Engineer Elias Al-Tawil was presented with a commemorative shield by the President of the "Progressive Graduates Association" Samer Al-Aoud and the Head of the Engineering Sector in the Association, Youssef Obeid. The ceremony was attended by sheikhs, the Minister of Public Works, Dr. Ali Hamieh represented by Engineer Ali Ramadan, MP Ibrahim Azar, Director General and Chairman of the Board of the Lebanese Railway and Public Transport Authority Ziad Nassar, members of the leadership council of the Progressive Socialist Party, the President of the Progressive Graduates Association Samer Al-Aoud and members of the administrative board, media commissioner Saleh Hdeifa, party leader Dr. Nasser Zaidan, President of the Arab Union for Surveying and Head of the Syndicate of Licensed Topographers Dr. Sarkis Fadous, Sheikh Sulaiman Al-Halabi representing the Al-Irfan Unified Foundation, engineering file officer Engineer Nadim Namour, head of the Chouf region office Dr. Omar Ghannam, Director of the National Library Ghazi Saab, former chiefs of staff Major General Amin Al-Aram and Major General Hatim Malak, former General Director of the State Employee Cooperative Anwar Douai, representatives of free professions in political parties, mayors and mukhtars, engineers, and a host of dignitaries and interested individuals.
