Latest news with #NizarHani
L'Orient-Le Jour
a day ago
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
International city of vine and wine: A boost for tourism in Zahle
On July 23, Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani received confirmation of the designation of Zahle (Bekaa district) as an "international city of vine and wine" by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), based in France. Zahle joins the International Network of Cities of Vine and Wine, which brings together Bordeaux (France), Dijon (France), Ensenada (Mexico), Punta del Este (Uruguay), Santiago (Chile), Verona (Italy), Yantai (China), Yinchuan (China), and Zaragoza (Spain). Stories of Lebanese winemakers 2024 Vintage: Lebanese winemakers in the South and the Bekaa harvest against all odds Director General of the Agriculture Ministry Louis Lahoud explains to L'Orient-Le Jour what this title means and what can be expected from it.L'Orient-Le Jour: What does the title of "international city of vine and...
L'Orient-Le Jour
22-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
'Don't play with fire': Launch of national campaign to prevent forest fires
The fire season is well underway in Lebanon, and it risks becoming even more complicated due to the drought gripping the country as a result of the very sparse rainfall during the past winter. A national campaign to prevent forest fires was launched Tuesday at the premises of the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Jnah, Beirut, attended by Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani, his Environment counterpart Tamara al-Zein, a representative from the Interior Ministry, Gen. Nabil Farah, and the CNRS Secretary-General Chadi Abdallah. Details of the campaign were announced by Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine, director of the Association for Forests, Development, and Conservation (AFDC), one of the partners. The slogan and hashtag of the campaign, "Don't play with fire," is directed at those who, through a lack of vigilance, could cause fires. Its goals aim to educate Lebanese people about the dangers of forest fires, their causes and consequences through educational messages. The campaign also aims to support early warning systems at the national and regional levels (volunteers, municipalities, the Risk Management Center under the prime minister's office, etc.) and to "mobilize local communities for forest protection through sustainable management and volunteer-led initiatives," according to the activist. These volunteers, who live in the regions, are considered "the first line of defense against fire," as shown in a video created as part of this campaign and released during the press conference. As allies of the municipalities, they play an important role in early-warning efforts against fires and in launching initial firefighting efforts while waiting for Civil Defense. According to Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine, the campaign program aims above all to distribute as widely as possible the daily bulletin on fire risks by region, published by the CNRS in cooperation with the Interior Ministry, as well as guidelines to prevent and combat fires, if necessary. Numerous training sessions are planned for Civil Defense, forest rangers, volunteers and farmers. The latter can play a very positive role in prevention and response, but can also cause fires if they do not cease certain practices such as burning dry grasses, for example. The general public is also targeted by the campaign's initiators. Special television programs are planned, and awareness content is expected to be shared on social networks until October (late summer and autumn are, contrary to what one might think, the most dangerous season for forest fires due to the prolonged dry period). Specific training and awareness activities are also set in highly wooded areas, especially Akkar (far north), which is affected by severe fires every year. A risk aggravated by drought Minister Nizar Hani specified during his speech that this campaign is based on "a scientific and rational approach" aiming to clean forests and woodlands of excess dry biomass, strengthen early warning networks, raise public awareness of the dangers of lighting fires and of the legal provisions against offenders, and improve the capacities of municipalities and environmental associations in this area. For her part, the Minister of Environment provided statistics to measure the scope of the phenomenon: 4,264 fires recorded in 2023, 6,365 in 2024 and 466 so far in 2025. She emphasized that the unusual drought is an aggravating factor this year. Zein recalled that this national campaign complements the forest fire risk management project, launched a few days ago under the patronage of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
L'Orient-Le Jour
19-07-2025
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Lebanon's poultry sector prepares ambitious growth strategy
The Lebanese Poultry Syndicate organized a conference this week at the American University of Beirut (AUB) to launch the preparations for a "National Strategy for the Poultry Sector," according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA). The conference was attended by the syndicate's president, William Boutros; the Agriculture Minister, Nizar Hani; the Industry Minister, Joe Issa al-Khoury; the Economy and Trade Minister, Amer Bsat; the Director General of the Agriculture Ministry, Engineer Louis Lahoud; the President of the American University of Beirut, Fadlo Khury, among others. During the conference, Boutros stated that "the sector employs about 36,000 people, directly and indirectly, spread over more than 2,000 farms and 60 factories," and produces "about 110 million poultry annually." He said the sector's potential is far from being reached, believing that it can be realized on the ground with this new situation, the new government and the current ministers. "We are going to propose major investments to the private sector in Lebanon, aiming to generate one and a half billion dollars in gross domestic product," he continued. He also said that the government should compensate farmers and poultry producers who have suffered losses as a result of Israeli attacks. Bsat, for his part, said the strategy in question must "create an environment conducive to investment and marketing, both locally and internationally." He added that the Ministry is determined to facilitate internal and external trade by revising bilateral agreements, and to strengthen oversight on points of sale and markets by empowering the monitoring agency to curb fraud, manipulation and ensure fair competition. Issa al-Khoury presented a strategic framework for the development of the industrial poultry sector, drawing inspiration from successful experiences in countries such as Brazil, Turkey, Thailand, the United States and Morocco. This framework is based in particular on securing raw materials, reducing production costs, modernizing manufacturing systems and value chains, as well as supporting cold chain infrastructure, packaging and refrigerated transport, to preserve quality and ensure market access.
LBCI
16-07-2025
- Business
- LBCI
Lebanon sees high economic hopes in regulated cannabis sector
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Wednesday sponsored a conference at the Grand Serail on legal cannabis cultivation, reaffirming the government's push to activate Lebanon's law allowing medical and industrial use. In his opening remarks, Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani framed the initiative as a turning point in Lebanon's approach to agriculture and economic development. 'This isn't just a new crop—it's a national responsibility,' he said, calling the cannabis sector a 'promising' field if regulated with transparency, science, and proper governance. Hani highlighted the law's potential to create a full value chain from cultivation to advanced industries, adding that 'Lebanon has a real chance to lead in this emerging global market." The minister added that legal cannabis farming aligns with a broader national strategy to diversify agricultural production in response to climate, environmental, and food security challenges. Prime Minister Salam echoed those points. He estimated that the sector could generate over $1 billion in annual revenue and provide high-quality jobs—particularly in marginalized areas like the Bekaa Valley. He warned against chaos or monopolies, stressing the need for equity and proper oversight. 'We don't want this to become a space for exploitation,' he said, urging all stakeholders to approach it with seriousness and scientific rigor.
Lebanese Army
04-06-2025
- General
- Lebanese Army
Hosting the conference 'Crisis Management in the Health Sector' at Balamand University, Qalhat-Koura
Tuesday, 03 June 2025 Under the patronage of President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun, represented by Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani, and in the presence of the Chief of Staff representing Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Rodolph Haykal, the Military Healthcare, and Balamand University held the conference 'Crisis Management in the Health Sector' at Balamand University, Qalhat - Koura. This conference was attended by several ministers, MPs, medical and union officials, as well as political and economic figures, security forces representatives, and several LAF officers. During the conference, Minister Hani emphasized that the health sector served as the first line of defense in facing several crises that Lebanon has endured, highlighting the importance of developing this sector to build a modern state capable of providing healthcare to its citizens. He stressed the necessity of structural transformation based on learning from experiences. He also commended the LAF's contribution to organizing the conference and the role of Balamand University in hosting meaningful scientific initiatives. On another note, Major General Hassan Audi, the Chief of Staff, delivered a speech stating: 'The military institution has exerted every effort to play an active role in health matters during critical crises, believing in the sanctity of its professional and ethical duty to stand by the Lebanese people. On this basis, the LAF played a vital role in the national plan to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as participating in the evacuation of the injured and providing them with healthcare following the Beirut port explosion, while also taking responsibility for securing the explosion site, clearing debris, and opening roads. Additionally, the Head of Military Healthcare, Brigadier General Dani Bsharaoui, emphasized that the conference serves as a platform for dialogue and integration between official health entities, military institutions, the private sector, universities, and civil society organizations. Dr. Elias Waraq, President of Balamand University, noted that the university places special emphasis on developing strategies to ensure the continuity of various vital sectors in Lebanon, asserting that the Lebanese people will remain united and determined to rise, standing together behind their LAF. Following this, workshops were held that included lectures related to the conference topic, presented by several officers, experts, and specialists. The conference concluded with the presentation of recommendations reached by the participants.
