The Office of the Minister of Youth and Sports issued the following statement: "In response to the falsehoods, fabrications, and lies included in Deputy Simon Abi Ramia's statement regarding the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the minister, his remarks are viewed as blatant allegations that are offensive to his position as a deputy representing the nation and failing to attend to the concerns of the youth, despite all the challenges and dangers threatening them. The Deputy tried to grant himself the right to 'call' and 'evaluate the minister's performance', which he claims the minister has not responded to, considering it an interference in the ministry's work and the judiciary, particularly regarding the Olympic Committee, claiming a role that does not belong to him and attempting to intervene in ministry affairs and act as a guardian, which the minister rejected, preventing the abuse of the deputy's status to demand personal interests.
To remind, Article 31 of the internal regulations of the Parliament states, 'Committees can invite the relevant minister to attend their sessions and the minister can delegate someone to represent him unless the committee decides to invite the minister specifically, and when the committee decides to invite the minister specifically, its chair must inform the minister of the decision via the Presidency of the Council at least three days prior to the meeting.' This necessitates that the chair follow the proper procedures and submit a request via the council presidency, which has never happened. Did the deputy write to the minister via the parliamentary council presidency?
The minister has been consistently responsive according to procedures, and has either attended meetings or sent responsible staff to represent him. He also sent a written letter to the committee regarding the issue that Abi Ramia is trying to create a fuss about, clarifying the points raised, which were improperly used by Abi Ramia some media outlets to showcase his strength, which constitutes a blatant interference by the deputy in the minister's work. This will be the subject of a letter the minister will submit according to proper channels to the Presidency of the Parliament and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers to put an end to the conduct that is unworthy of a deputy who has violated all procedures and invited someone without authority to attend a committee session, exploiting the committee's office as his private office.
It should be noted that the cancellation of the in-kind donation project, which was issued by decree, was canceled by decree due to the failure of the relevant party to begin work five months after its issuance. This issue will be legally followed up with the official authorities to pursue this entity that exploited the decree and neglected, despite follow-up from the ministry led by the General Director of Sports Facilities, Mohamed Oueidat, and other staff, to set a date to start work, after it was initially planned to commence renovations on September 5. This situation has hindered any donor from providing assistance due to the existence of a decree.
Deputy Abi Ramia included in his personal statement expressions of regret over the ministry's handling of the in-kind donation for the rehabilitation of the Scouting City of Jbeil, stressing that 'if the donation had been executed, the scouting city would have regained its vitality today to welcome thousands of associations and tens of thousands of youth, especially since a specialized company assessed the site and submitted its report on the needs of the scouting city.'
Abi Ramia ignored the fact that the decree to accept the donation was originally issued at the ministry's request and that the engineering company that prepared the study he boasted about in his statement was requested by the ministry. The ministry is keenly aware of the importance of executing such a project; however, the request for its cancellation by decree has its own grounds and reasons that cannot be disputed, and the minister will present these before the General Assembly of Parliament if requested by the Speaker of the Parliament.
The question that will be pursued in detail is: What is the suspicious jealousy of Deputy Abi Ramia towards this 'voluntary body'? What is his relationship with the person he requested to attend? What is the reason for his discomfort over the cancellation of the in-kind donation by decree? Does he have a personal interest in completing the deal after it was accepted by decree? ... These questions will have their implications and consequences in various aspects, while respecting the deputy's role strictly within the law.
Regarding the repeated interference from the Chairman of the Youth and Sports Parliamentary Committee in the work of the executive authority and his insistence on suggesting that he is a sports authority, contrary to all constitutional standards and behaviors that Deputy Abi Ramia has distorted by his showy actions, the Minister has sent a letter to the Prime Minister regarding this matter.
Is the Chairman of the Youth and Sports Committee aware that discussing the file of the Lebanese Olympic Committee and announcing the continuation of the issue is considered by the International Olympic Committee, according to its charter, a political interference in its work? Why has his concern for the Olympic Committee only emerged today?
The Minister of Youth and Sports affirms his respect for the law and the role assigned to the parliamentary committee, reiterating his supportive participation in the committee's work according to procedures. Evidence of this is that he had sent Mr. Abi Ramia in March as part of the ministerial delegation to the Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports meetings in Saudi Arabia. He places himself under the umbrella of the law and the behavior of the parliamentary council, respecting and valuing the esteemed deputies who attended the committee session and welcoming them in his office to provide any information that may assist them in any area, after Abi Ramia attempted to mislead them and take refuge behind their presence, inviting them to a session in violation of procedures.
Finally, we ask where Deputy Abi Ramia was when the minister alone confronted the danger of addiction and electronic games and the resulting suicides among youth? What has he provided for the youth? What vision has he prepared for the youth?"
