Public Works Shows US Envoy Progress on Emergency Plan in the South

During his tour of the south yesterday, US ambassador to Lebanon Michel Aoun was briefed on various projects being implemented by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport in the western Zouk and Qaqa'eiya al-Jisr areas, under the approved emergency action plan for affected regions, aimed at reopening roads, ensuring passage, and addressing damage to infrastructure.

Accompanying the visit, authorized by Minister of Public Works and Transport Fadi Rassamni, were the regional director of public works in the south, engineer Haytham Bzi, head of the implementation department Dr. Ali Najm, along with engineer Emad Awada from Dar al-Hindasa – Nizar Talib.

During the tour, Bzi presented an overview of the projects underway as part of the government-approved plan, particularly in pilot zones, explaining that interventions included opening roads, removing debris and rubble, rehabilitating damaged corridors, and carrying out necessary construction work to restore traffic flow and access to affected towns.

In Qaqa'eiya al-Jisr, Ambassador Aoun inspected the temporary passage constructed by the ministry to restore connectivity after the bridge was damaged, and reviewed the stages of work completed on site, including retaining walls along the main road and measures taken to reinforce the roadway and improve safety.

The ministry team explained that the temporary passage was established to address the disruption of this vital corridor connecting Nabatiye and Bint Jbeil judicial districts, restoring mobility between regions and towns dependent on it, until permanent solutions are implemented and infrastructure is fully rehabilitated.

The delegation then moved to western Zouk, where a meeting was held with the local municipality to present the town’s needs and follow up on priorities related to roads and infrastructure, within the program the ministry is executing to respond to the most urgent needs in affected areas.

Bzi emphasized that the ongoing work follows direct instructions from Minister Rassamni to accelerate field interventions, open roads, and address damaged sites without delay, ensuring continuous movement for citizens and gradually re-establishing connections between villages and towns.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport continues implementing the emergency plan in the south according to field priorities, with the completion of necessary road rehabilitation, hazard mitigation, and stabilization of damaged infrastructure, paving the way for transitioning from emergency responses to permanent rehabilitation and full restoration of the road network’s operational capacity.