logo
Lebanese Ministers share their visions for reform and development in recent statements to LBCI

Lebanese Ministers share their visions for reform and development in recent statements to LBCI

LBCI08-02-2025

Lebanon's newly appointed ministers have shared their plans and visions for their respective ministries in recent interviews with LBCI, expressing their commitment to reform and national development.
Fayez Rasamny, Lebanon's new Minister of Public Works, highlighted his ambition to establish a clear plan focusing on law, restoring public trust, and appointing qualified individuals. He emphasized the importance of action with quick results.
Hanin Al-Sayed, Minister of Social Affairs, outlined her goal of building comprehensive social protection for the Lebanese people, focusing on reform and institutional development. She also discussed her plans to address the Syrian refugee crisis, noting her awareness of the modest ministry budget but stressing its capacity to provide services.
Joe Issa Khoury, Minister of Industry, shared his vision of encouraging the return of Lebanese nationals working abroad. He emphasized the pivotal role of the Ministry of Industry in creating job opportunities through industrial development. He also expressed his goal to raise exports to $10 to $11 billion, a move he believes would significantly impact Lebanon's balance of payments.
Nizar Al-Hani, Minister of Agriculture, focused on initiatives to rehabilitate agricultural lands to ensure food security and improve the technical capabilities of farmers through guidance and awareness campaigns.
Adel Nassar, Minister of Justice, stressed the importance of coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council and ensuring the protection of investigative judges to guarantee their independence. He also emphasized the ministry's role in preventing outside interference in judicial matters.
Paul Morcos, Minister of Information, noted that while he does not yet have a clear vision, he has reviewed the proposed media law and provided feedback. He discussed his plans to improve the Ministry of Information and Lebanon's national television, working to revitalize the institution and promote press freedom.
Minister of Labor Mohammad Haidar emphasized that addressing wages and the minimum wage would be his ministry's first priority. He also noted that improving labor contracts between employees and companies will be a key focus to enhance working conditions and opportunities.
Minister of Environment Tamara Zain highlighted the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental destruction. She pointed out the need to tackle the environmental damage caused by Israeli aggression and stressed the importance of restoring institutional work order in the country.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US gives nod to Syria to bring foreign ex-rebels into army, Reuters
US gives nod to Syria to bring foreign ex-rebels into army, Reuters

Ya Libnan

time3 hours ago

  • Ya Libnan

US gives nod to Syria to bring foreign ex-rebels into army, Reuters

A member of the former rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stands guard near an image of Syria's Bashar al-Assad at the fourth division headquarters in Damascus, Syria, January 23, 2025 REUTERS/Yamam Al Shaar/File Photo By Timour Azhari and Suleiman Al-Khalidi he United States has given its blessing to a plan by Syria's new leadership to incorporate thousands of foreign jihadist former rebel fighters into the national army, provided that it does so transparently, President Donald Trump's envoy said. Three Syrian defence officials said that under the plan, some 3,500 foreign fighters, mainly Uyghurs from China and neighbouring countries, would join a newly-formed unit, the 84th Syrian army division, which would also include Syrians. Asked by Reuters in Damascus whether Washington approved the integration of foreign fighters into Syria's new military, Thomas Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey who was named Trump's special envoy to Syria last month, said: 'I would say there is an understanding, with transparency.' He said it was better to keep the fighters, many of whom are 'very loyal' to Syria's new administration, within a state project than to exclude them. The fate of foreigners who joined Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels during the 13-year war between rebel groups and President Bashar al-Assad has been one of the most fraught issues hindering a rapprochement with the West since HTS, aone-time offshoot of al Qaeda, toppled Assad and took power last year. At least until early May, the United States had been demanding the new leadership broadly exclude foreign fighters from the security forces. But Washington's approach to Syria has changed sharply since Trump toured the Middle East last month. Trump agreed to lift Assad-era sanctions on Syria, met Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh and named Barrack, a close friend, as his special envoy. Two sources close to the Syrian defence ministry told Reuters that Sharaa and his circle had been arguing to Western interlocutors that bringing foreign fighters into the army would be less of a security risk than abandoning them, which could drive them into the orbit of al Qaeda or Islamic State. The U.S. State Department and a Syrian government spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. CHINESE CONCERNS Thousands of Sunni Muslim foreigners joined Syria's rebels early in the 13-year civil war to fight against Assad, who was himself aided by Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias. Some fighters formed their own factions, while others joined established groups such as Islamic State, which briefly declared a caliphate in swathes of Syria and Iraq before being routed by an array of forces backed both by the United States and Iran. Foreign fighters within HTS earned a reputation as loyal, disciplined and experienced militants, and formed the backbone of the group's elite so-called suicide units. They fought against Islamic State and against other wings of al Qaeda from 2016, when HTS broke away from the group founded by Osama bin Laden. The Uyghur fighters from China and Central Asia are members of the Turkistan Islamic Party, a group designated as terrorists by Beijing. A Syrian official and a foreign diplomat said China had sought to have the group's influence in Syria restricted. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said: 'China hopes that Syria will oppose all forms of terrorism and extremist forces in response to the concerns of the international community.' Osman Bughra, a TIP political official, told Reuters in a written statement that the group had officially dissolved and integrated into the Syrian army. 'At present, the group operates entirely under the authority of the Ministry of Defence, adheres to national policy, and maintains no affiliations with external entities or groups,' he said. In December , the appointment of a handful of foreign jihadists who were part of HTS's senior leadership to top military posts had alarmed Western governments, raising concerns over the direction of Syria's new Islamist leadership. Demands to freeze the appointments and expel rank-and-file foreign fighters became a key point of contention with Washington and other Western countries up until the week of Trump's landmark meeting with Sharaa. Sharaa has said that foreign fighters and their families may be granted Syrian citizenship due to their role in fighting Assad. Abbas Sharifa, a Damascus-based expert on jihadist groups, said the fighters being included in the army had shown loyalty to Syria's leadership and were 'ideologically filtered.' But 'if you abandon them they become prey to ISIS or other radical groups' he said. Reuters

From Smart Government conference, PM Salam calls digital transformation essential for reform and trust-building
From Smart Government conference, PM Salam calls digital transformation essential for reform and trust-building

LBCI

time5 hours ago

  • LBCI

From Smart Government conference, PM Salam calls digital transformation essential for reform and trust-building

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delivered a speech at the closing session of the 'Smart Government: Diaspora Experts for Lebanon' conference, held under the patronage of President Joseph Aoun at Phoenicia Hotel. He emphasized that 'digital transformation is not a luxury for Lebanon, but a necessity. It is a reform that directly serves citizens—saving time, reducing corruption, and improving service quality. It is also a prerequisite for economic growth: without digital governance, there can be no investment that meets our ambitions. Without transparency, there can be no trust, and without modernization, there are no opportunities worthy of our youth to build their future in their homeland.' He pointed out that 'to succeed, full coordination between ministries and public administrations is essential. Lebanon cannot remain outside the digital world. We are determined to be part of the regional and global digital economy and to reconnect Lebanon to the knowledge and production networks of the 21st century.' He announced that 'Lebanon intends to join the Digital Cooperation Organization and has begun taking the necessary legal steps to do so, reaffirming its commitment to genuine integration into the regional and international digital economy.' He added: 'Shortly, we aim to launch digital projects that are financially viable and self-sustaining. We also seek to build a unified and centralized governmental digital infrastructure that ensures coordination among different administrations and enhances efficiency and good governance.' He stressed that 'digital transformation is a gateway to reforming state institutions and restoring citizens' trust in them. Let this conference serve as a genuine starting point, not just a ceremonial event. We have much work ahead, but we also have the tools and partners. Let's begin now.'

Iran says continuing uranium enrichment on its soil a 'red line'
Iran says continuing uranium enrichment on its soil a 'red line'

LBCI

time5 hours ago

  • LBCI

Iran says continuing uranium enrichment on its soil a 'red line'

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Iran's right to enrich uranium on its soil was a "red line" after the United States submitted its proposal for a new nuclear deal. "Continuing enrichment on Iranian soil is our red line," Araghchi said while on a visit to Lebanon, adding that his country will respond to the proposal in the coming days based on Iran's "principled positions and the interests of the Iranian people." AFP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store