Jumblatt Discusses Development and Waste Management with Jbeil Mayors

Lebanese Forces party president Samer Jumblatt held an extensive meeting at the party's headquarters in Maarab with mayors of Jbeil district, led by Fadi Martino, president of the Municipalities Union, and his deputy Bashir Elias, in the presence of Member of the "Strong Republic" bloc MP Ziad Hawat and the Lebanese Forces coordinator in the Jbeil region, Savio Barkat.

The meeting reviewed development conditions in the Jbeil district and the work of the Municipalities Union, particularly steps taken regarding the management and operation of the waste sorting plant. Jumblatt commended the ongoing cooperation between the union and the district municipalities, as well as their commitment to legal procedures, transparency, and governance principles, which led to the successful tender and a bid significantly lower than the previous one—directly reducing financial burdens on citizens in the Jbeil district.

Jumblatt emphasized that "what has been achieved represents a model of what can be accomplished when public affairs are managed according to law, free from patronage and private interests," stressing the "importance of building on this experience and institutionalizing transparency, integrity, and sound administration as enduring practices in local and developmental work."

The union’s mayor members underscored that "the meeting in Maarab clearly signals the Lebanese Forces' strong interest in Jbeil and its elected representatives," noting that "cooperation on the waste file has proven that tangible results benefiting residents can be achieved when the process is based on transparency, governance, and respect for legal standards."

Martino said in his speech: "The union and the Lebanese Forces share principles of transparency and good governance in public affairs." He noted that "re-tendering resulted in a bid substantially lower than the previous one," adding, "We were aligned with the Lebanese Forces and reached this outcome together—so we have every right to celebrate this success jointly." He thanked Jumblatt and the Lebanese Forces for their continuous support for Jbeil and its municipalities, reaffirming "our commitment to writing more pages of transparency, integrity, and success."

The discussion also covered future projects and plans being developed by the union, including improving sanitation conditions across the district and planning a circular expressway connecting Beirut to the Jbeil region and onward to northern areas—contributing to an alternative route that alleviates traffic congestion and reduces pressure on the coastal highway.

In this context, Jumblatt affirmed the Lebanese Forces’ readiness to support the Jbeil Municipalities Union and advocate for these projects with relevant authorities, helping transform them from plans into implementable initiatives grounded in regional needs and the public interest of the area’s inhabitants.

Union members, in turn, expressed gratitude to Jumblatt and the Lebanese Forces for standing by Jbeil residents and municipalities and following up on development issues in the district. Martino personally thanked Jumblatt and the Lebanese Forces for their national-level efforts and for the special attention given to the Jbeil district.

Following the extensive meeting, Jumblatt held a private session with the mayor of Aqoura, Bataras Mhanna, and the Lebanese Forces coordinator in the Jbeil region, Savio Barkat, discussing current actions by the Aqoura municipality and upcoming projects it intends to carry out.

The conversation also explored the best ways the Lebanese Forces can support and accompany the municipality in implementing its projects, thereby strengthening the municipal council’s effectiveness and contributing to public benefit and service to the people of Aqoura and the local community.