"City of Life" Plea Urges Protection of Tyre's Tourist Landmarks

The Lebanese Federation of Tourism Syndicates issued a strong condemnation of the ongoing targeting of residents in Tyre, southern Lebanon, and across the country. It highlighted the contrast with the global efforts to protect stones and antiquities worldwide, noting that Lebanon’s stones, people, historical and cultural heritage, and tourist sites are excluded from such protection. The federation also criticized the silence regarding the suffering of those resisting to defend their land, dignity, and right to life.

In a statement, the federation remarked that while the authorities watch the southern region face Israeli aggression, the city of Tyre once again stands firm with dignity. It recalled that this city has written and continues to write its history through resistance and civilization, producing steadfast men who confront occupation and tyranny.

The statement added that UNESCO has listed Tyre as a World Heritage Site due to its vast human and civilizational legacy. However, the city’s true value lies not only in its ancient columns, castles, and historic ports but also in its people who have protected both the land and history. They have confronted occupation, terrorism, and aggression with unbreakable determination.

The federation emphasized that Tyre today is not merely a city suffering devastation but represents the resilience of all southern Lebanon. It symbolizes a living image of a people punished for choosing dignity, resistance, and refusing submission. It stated that anyone who abandons the people of the south to their fate or remains complicit through silence shares in this historical and humanitarian injustice.

The Lebanese authorities were urged to assume their national responsibilities toward the south and its residents by immediately protecting civilians, supporting their steadfastness, and ensuring the provision of dignified living conditions. The federation called for the launch of a genuine emergency plan to save the tourism, heritage, and cultural sectors in the affected areas. It also demanded serious action from relevant international bodies, foremost among them UNESCO, to safeguard heritage and humanitarian sites in Tyre and southern Lebanon and to end the policy of silence regarding the systematic assaults Lebanon faces.

The federation saluted the people of Tyre and also honored the displaced who have endured the pains of aggression, uprooting, and deprivation. It affirmed that the south, which defeated occupation and liberated its land, is capable of overcoming the crisis regardless of the conspiracies and pressures it faces.

The statement concluded by affirming that Tyre will not become a forgotten relic on the margins of history but will remain the city of life, resistance, and victory, as it always has been.