Project Watan: The Idea of Outsourcing Lebanon’s Affairs to Others Revives Painful Memories Activating the Qlayaat and Jounieh Facilities Marks a Pivotal Transformation

Project Watan’s Executive Board held its weekly meeting, chaired by MP Neemat Frem and attended by the members. After discussing the latest local, regional, and international developments, the Board issued the following statement:

• Project Watan considers that the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran has created a positive atmosphere that could have a favorable impact on the ongoing negotiations in Washington, opening a window of hope toward a sustainable de-escalation in the region. This process also represents an opportunity that must be seized to ensure the effective withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon, restore the Lebanese state’s full sovereignty over all its territories, and implement the principle of the state’s exclusive authority over weapons through its legitimate institutions.

• The Executive Board affirms that the Lebanese people have paid a heavy price as a result of having Lebanon’s affairs entrusted to external parties, particularly Syria, during previous phases. Reintroducing this option, even under a new Syrian regime headed by President Ahmed al-Sharaa – despite his positive orientations – constitutes a challenge and an affront to national dignity, revives painful collective memories, and raises concerns over internal stability. Therefore, the Board calls on all Lebanese parties to fully commit themselves to the authority of the state and to prioritize what unites the Lebanese people, in order to reach purely national solutions from within.

• The Executive Board highlighted the return of life to Lebanon through the gateways of Qlayaat Airport and the Port of Jounieh. The members considered that the rehabilitation and activation of these two vital facilities, as well as the landing of the first aircraft at Qlayaat Airport and the launch of the first maritime tourism excursions, represent a strategic and pivotal turning point, particularly on the path toward achieving balanced development, strengthening constructive decentralization, stimulating economic and tourism activity, and creating new job opportunities, especially in the North and Mount Lebanon regions. In this context, the Board salutes all those working on these strategic steps and wishes them continued success.