403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
US Ambassador Makes First South Lebanon Visit Since 2006 War
(MENAFN) US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa toured parts of southern Lebanon on Tuesday, becoming the first American envoy to visit the region since the 2006 war, Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Accompanied by a delegation from Lebanon's Council for Development and Reconstruction, Issa visited Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh and a temporary river crossing in Qa'qaiyat al-Jisr. In Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, he stopped at the Annunciation Church, which sustained damage from nearby Israeli strikes.
According to NNA, Issa viewed the neighboring town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah from the church grounds — an area where Israeli forces remain stationed and continue to demolish homes. An Israeli drone circled overhead during the visit.
Issa also met with Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh Mayor Abed Ezzeddine, who said local residents remain unable to access certain neighborhoods near Israeli positions. Ezzeddine said the ambassador committed to supporting reconstruction efforts, though he offered no specific timeline.
The ambassador later inspected a temporary crossing in Qa'qaiyat al-Jisr, built to replace a bridge destroyed by Israeli strikes in March. Lebanon's Public Works Ministry opened the crossing over the Litani River on Tuesday, reestablishing a direct road connection between the Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil districts while the original bridge awaits rebuilding.
The visit comes as Lebanon continues recovering from two devastating assaults since October 2023 that left widespread destruction, extensive infrastructure and housing damage, and deepened the country's economic crisis.
On June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a US-brokered framework agreement in Washington outlining a phased Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, with the Lebanese army deploying into areas vacated by Israeli troops. Despite that agreement, Israel has continued launching attacks on southern Lebanon and still occupies parts of the south — some held for decades, others seized during more recent wars and military operations.
Accompanied by a delegation from Lebanon's Council for Development and Reconstruction, Issa visited Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh and a temporary river crossing in Qa'qaiyat al-Jisr. In Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, he stopped at the Annunciation Church, which sustained damage from nearby Israeli strikes.
According to NNA, Issa viewed the neighboring town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah from the church grounds — an area where Israeli forces remain stationed and continue to demolish homes. An Israeli drone circled overhead during the visit.
Issa also met with Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh Mayor Abed Ezzeddine, who said local residents remain unable to access certain neighborhoods near Israeli positions. Ezzeddine said the ambassador committed to supporting reconstruction efforts, though he offered no specific timeline.
The ambassador later inspected a temporary crossing in Qa'qaiyat al-Jisr, built to replace a bridge destroyed by Israeli strikes in March. Lebanon's Public Works Ministry opened the crossing over the Litani River on Tuesday, reestablishing a direct road connection between the Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil districts while the original bridge awaits rebuilding.
The visit comes as Lebanon continues recovering from two devastating assaults since October 2023 that left widespread destruction, extensive infrastructure and housing damage, and deepened the country's economic crisis.
On June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a US-brokered framework agreement in Washington outlining a phased Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, with the Lebanese army deploying into areas vacated by Israeli troops. Despite that agreement, Israel has continued launching attacks on southern Lebanon and still occupies parts of the south — some held for decades, others seized during more recent wars and military operations.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any
responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos,
licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues
related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment