Minister of Public Works Ali Hamieh launched a workshop for the rehabilitation and maintenance of international highways across Lebanon from the city of Nabatieh this morning. The event took place at the Nabatieh-Kfar Rumman roundabout, attended by municipal director of the second district of Jabal Amel in "Hezbollah," Hatem Harb representing the head of the "Loyalty to the Resistance" bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, MPs Hani Qubaisi, Hussein Jashi, and Nasser Jaber, Nabatieh’s Governor Houda Turk, mayors, organizations, clubs, and directors of public works and services in Nabatieh and the south.
The ceremony began with the national anthem played by the Imam Mahdi Scouts band, followed by a welcoming speech from the press office's spokesperson in the second district of Jabal Amel, Imad Awada. In his speech, Hamieh expressed his happiness to be in southern Lebanon and in Nabatieh, describing it as "this good and pure land," where they gather to launch a vital and significant project, especially amid the difficult circumstances which the Israeli enemy seeks to destroy, both human and stone.
He stated, "Usually, highway maintenance workshops start from Beirut, but today we launch them from Nabatieh. We decided to begin the maintenance of all highways in Lebanon from Nabatieh. Today, we represent the government of Lebanon, and from Nabatieh, we start the international highway maintenance workshops, namely: the highways leading to Kfar Tabnit, Nabatieh, Zahrani, Burj Rahal, Sidon, the sports city, Hazmieh, Shatoura, and the Bekaa region."
Hamieh continued, "People ask about the funding for the emergency plan for the south, citing the Lebanese state budget, raising questions and concerns. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has allocations from the Parliament, which is not a gift or a favor from anyone; this is money approved by the Parliament in the 2024 budget. We are also discussing the 2025 budget, which we hope will be approved by Parliament next year. The south is the nerve of Lebanon, and for me, the sun of dignity rises from southern Lebanon and Nabatieh. I will not hesitate to spend what the people of the south and Nabatieh need for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to maintain infrastructure and bridges according to their needs. To those who ask how and why, I say this is the Ministry of Public Works' money, and the constitution gives me the authority to spend as I see fit."
Dr. Ahmad Kheili, the Mayor of Nabatieh, also spoke, thanking the Ministry of Public Works in general and Minister Ali Hamieh in particular. He stated, "By his presence today among us in Nabatieh, we send a message of defiance to this brutal enemy that has left neither stone nor person unscathed, using its war machine to destroy them. Today, from Nabatieh and Kfar Rumman roundabout, we renew our salute and appreciation to Minister Dr. Ali Hamieh, whose presence brings joy to the hearts of our people in Nabatieh and the south. Today’s topic is not limited to paving roads or maintaining highways; rather, the minister's presence symbolizes the moral aspect that this south and this region are present in the heart and mind of this resistance government, which works tirelessly in these exceptional circumstances."
Qubaisi gave a speech stating, "In an appreciated step, we value this visit to the city of Nabatieh, the city of Imam Hussein, the city of resistance during the struggle against the Zionist enemy, to confirm that political presence, when accompanied by a resistant action, produces pride, dignity, victory, and presence for the Lebanese state. We welcome you to Nabatieh and all the south, not for a road or a space we reclaim during this time when the world conspired against the south; your visit is a tremendous step with sovereign significance in a period when many politicians in Lebanon oppose the action of the resistance against the Zionist enemy. Your presence among us strengthens our resolve and stands alongside the steadfast people of the south in a brief moment that meets the needs for citizen safety; thus, your presence today is an act of resistance and victory over all internal crises and external confrontations."
Governor Turk remarked, "We commend your step, Minister Hamieh, from Nabatieh and south Lebanon, for southern Lebanon is the lung of Lebanon and a symbol of resilience, providing martyrs every day; we are here. Yesterday, Israel attacked Marjeyoun, and every day there are victims who tell the story of our land. We are children of the culture of life. These projects amidst the war waged on Gaza and southern Lebanon are evidence of our continuity, our resilience, and our attachment to statehood. We know your heart is with the south, as it is with all of Lebanon, and we rely on your projects to be symbols of the upcoming victory."
Jashi welcomed Minister Hamieh and his accompanying delegation in Nabatieh, "which is a symbol of resistance, steadfastness, and challenge against enemies. We thank this initiative today to rehabilitate and maintain the highways in the south, which is an initiative of the Lebanese government represented by Minister Ali Hamieh. This demonstrates their support for our steadfast people. I believe our presence today and the launch of this project for the service of our resilient people confirms that we want a dignified, honorable life, indeed, we are the makers of life tied to dignity and honor. There is no value to life without dignity and resistance against enemies who wish to humiliate stone and humans. Thank you, Minister Hamieh, for your esteemed presence and for everyone who contributed to the achievement of this project; we are all on the right track to serve our people, our resistance, and our nation to remain free, noble, strong, and independent in the face of enemies."
Following that, Hamieh, the MPs, and attendees reviewed the maps related to the areas where the ministry's workshops would commence, signaling the start of the rehabilitation and maintenance project at the Nabatieh-Kfar Rumman roundabout.
