Marqa: Filling the Void After UNIFIL Withdrawal Is President Aoun and PM Salam's Top Priority

Information Minister Paul Marqa affirmed that "the top priority for President Joseph Aoun and the government led by Nawaf Salam is working to fill any void that may result from the withdrawal of UNIFIL forces from the South," noting "serious international interest and continuous follow-up on this file, with discussions on multiple formulas ensuring minimum security requirements in the South."

During his visit to the Melkite Greek Catholic Archdiocese of Sidon, Marqa revealed that "features of the expected solution may become clear within the next few hours and days," pointing out that "the state is working to restore its services in the South, where the return of telecommunications network operations has reached about 90 percent, while efforts continue to complete coverage in areas still needing it, alongside securing the needs of public hospitals and implementing development and service projects through the Council for Development and Reconstruction."

He stressed that "the state's position is clear regarding insistence on stopping Israeli attacks, full Israeli withdrawal, the return of residents, completing the return of prisoners, and rebuilding villages," affirming that "the return of the state to the South in terms of security and services constitutes an essential duty, in parallel with the solidarity of citizens, social, humanitarian, ecclesiastical institutions, and municipalities."

He indicated that he was "very moved by being present in this dear and blessed place, given its valuable historical and social meanings that unite us in love, meeting, and national unity," expressing "the need for this today, Your Grace, especially and specifically. You know well the delicacy and precision of the situation and circumstance that require all of us to be together and side by side, regardless of our political differences; what unites us is one, our values unite us, our country, and our concern lies in the return of the South safe and secure, the return of its people to their villages, rebuilding them, and returning to them with dignity. Also, the return of the state to every part of the South, a strong and just state, so that we all stand truly behind its institutions, which I believe are the only salvation for this country, and we are all behind this state that strengthens us and is strengthened by us."

He noted that "my visit today is also to contribute to honoring media professionals in the afternoon, particularly delegates, correspondents, photographers, and everyone who put their life on the line, placing their family's concerns and needs aside, focusing on conveying the truth with voice and image, so that every Lebanese person, wherever they are, knows what is happening. It is our duty, first and foremost, to be present here today, to gather together and thank you for the momentum, support, and motivation you provide us whenever we carry the burden of the South and its issues before local and international officials, whether those we receive in our offices or meet during visits abroad. You empower us with strength, persistence, and determination to defend these causes and demand your rights."

Marqa considered that "this support derives its power from your steadfastness, continuity, and clinging to the values that unite us, as well as your attachment to your land. Without your unity, cohesion, and stability, any claim would lack feasibility and connection to reality. In the face of war and ongoing Israeli attacks, you have provided an exemplary model of solidarity and mutual support, whether by receiving and embracing displaced persons or through assistance and shelter initiatives. Every official visiting us, regardless of their position, expresses, alongside their pain at what the South witnesses, admiration and gratitude for the level of social and human solidarity you have shown in the most difficult circumstances."

He said: "We see ourselves in you, we are strengthened by you, and we gather around the values that connect us, regardless of political affiliations. Before coming to this noble visit, to this blessed place which is the gateway through which we pass into hearts before geographical places, I tell you, Your Grace, that yesterday I was with His Excellency the President, who carries in his heart all affection, appreciation, and admiration for the steadfastness of the people of the South, which is our shared concern. I convey his greetings to each of you individually."

He added: "I conclude with a word of love, saying that the return of the state with security and services to the South is a duty upon it, but also meeting it with our solidarity and joint social and human presence is what truly uplifts this country. The state is not a foreign body to the citizens, but rather a fundamental and high expression of their political and institutional expressions. If they had not given this example and model that we pride ourselves on in the hardest and darkest circumstances we passed through, the return of the state would be devoid of meaning. The state returns to its people, and its people await it, God willing. Yesterday, I attended multiple meetings, whether with fellow ministers in charge—Minister of Health, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Telecommunications—or with councils and bodies I met on the occasion of the cabinet meeting yesterday. I personally reviewed plans that are no longer ink on paper, despite the scarce financial resources we have, but the determination is great. The wonder lies in the fact that, with the limited resources available to us, we can draw and implement actual executive plans that you will witness in hospitals, in telephone broadcast services, and their return to areas where they were cut off. All these capabilities are available under very limited resources, but there is blessing, Your Grace, behind the joint effort that we insist on continuing together, hand in hand: state, citizens, social, humanitarian, and ecclesiastical institutions, and especially municipalities whose presidents surround us now and represent them excellently."

He concluded: "Thank you for being among us; you strengthen the resolve of everyone who speaks on your behalf and defends your rights, and everyone who demands the return of the South to the status it deserves. I believe that the most prominent title for Independence Day, which we are approaching, is the return of the South to its natural position, God willing."

MPs participated in welcoming Minister Marqa: Dr. Osama Saad, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Bizri, Dr. Charbel Massaad, Saeed Al-Asmar, Ali Assiran, Dr. Michel Moussa, former Minister Hector Hajjar, former MPs Ibrahim Azar and Salim Khoury, representative of former MP Bahia Hariri Dr. Osama Arnaut, Director General of the Ministry of Industry Adel Al-Shabab, Vice President of the Political Bureau of the Islamic Group Dr. Bassam Hammoud, Bishop Elias Kafouri, representative of Archbishop Maroun Ammar Monsignor Maroun Kiwan, representative of Sidon Municipality President Engineer Mustafa Hijazi, Municipal Council member Joseph Touma, President of the Sidon Merchants Association Ali Al-Sharif, Secretary-General of the Social Security Council Engineer Maroun Siqili, Ambassador Abdel Mawla Al-Salah, President of Dibane Foundation Raphael Dibane, President of Sassi Cultural Foundation Antoine Sassi, Judge Hani Al-Barsha, along with several heads of municipalities of villages east of Sidon and Jezzine district and a number of mukhtars.

Al-Haddad

Bishop Al-Haddad delivered a speech welcoming Minister Marqa, saying: "With great joy, we meet today, Your Excellency Paul, at the Archdiocese house in Sidon. We know you from afar, and today you are in our home a good brother, official, legal expert, and media figure. Many descriptions gathered with you, all weapons of peace and service, and you are the best entrusted with talent because you place it in the service of people and nation. We realize you take pride in our church, so we take pride in hearing you opening us up, and speaking to you enriching our community and thought. You are a son of the Royal Church, witnessing with your faith that you came to serve, not to be served, and to give to many."

He added: "We welcome you with a bouquet of dignitaries from Sidon and the region, to whom thanks are due, as they honor this house every time they visit. With them, we form a southern family. And you know how much the South is a trust in our necks. The South made us apostles in service and advocates for peace. Your visit today is a pulpit adding its voice to our struggling voices. With you as Minister of Information, we raise our voice and say to all Lebanon, indeed to the whole world: Plant peace in the South because it is holy land and deserves nothing but peace."

Bishop Al-Haddad concluded: "My greeting to the southern media professionals present with us and absent from us. You are messengers of the word and messengers of the peace we seek. You welcome His Excellency the Minister of Information, and with him, you form a message of love, worthiness, and expertise, encouraging us with your positions and analyses to remain steadfast despite tragedies and difficulties. Together, we remember and pray for every journalist and photographer who was martyred so that Lebanon remains free, sovereign, and independent, and we pray for the repose of their souls."