October 24, 2026
Today, Saturday, attention is turning to the city of Tripoli, which is receiving the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, on an official visit that carries political, developmental and economic dimensions, and brings back to the forefront vital files that have been waiting for years for serious decisions that will move them from the circle of promises to implementation, in a city that possesses major economic components and is suffering from accumulated crises.
President Aoun is scheduled to begin his tour from the Tripoli Palace, after which he will move to the city’s port and the special economic zone, arriving at the Rashid Karami International Fair, on an inspection tour that will put the most prominent economic facilities in the northern capital under the microscope.
The visit’s discussions and tour focus on three basic files: It is led by the port of Tripoli, which is one of the most prominent commercial gateways to Lebanon, and has the potential to attract additional shipping traffic and investments, especially in light of the regional economic transformations and the urgent need to develop infrastructure and enhance the role of Lebanese ports.
The second file is the special economic zone, which is relied upon to be an engine for investment, production, and job creation, after ambitions to transform it into an effective economic center remained below the desired level. Here, the fundamental challenge of moving from plans to executive procedures that attract investors is highlighted.
As for the third file, it includes the Rashid Karami International Exhibition, with its exceptional architectural and economic value, especially after its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, amid increasing demands to launch an integrated plan to restore its facilities and reactivate its economic and cultural role to benefit from this prominent landmark.
According to the current arrangements, President Aoun is expected to arrive at the port of Tripoli at around 10:30 in the morning, and his tour at each station will take about a quarter of an hour, with the possibility of making adjustments to the official schedule.
In parallel with the official preparations, the streets of Tripoli witnessed the raising of banners welcoming the president, in parallel with security and organizational measures being taken to accompany the visit. However, the welcoming atmosphere is accompanied by urgent living and environmental demands. The people hope that the President of the Republic’s concerns will include the daily crises that burden the city, most notably the crisis of waste and odors emanating from the vicinity of the landfill and the landfill near the port, amid calls for a radical and sustainable solution.
This visit comes at a time when Tripoli needs more than inspection tours, as the city awaits practical steps that will restore its economic facilities and open the door to investments and development projects that will provide job opportunities and move the wheel of the economy in the north.
The bet remains on the results of this visit in terms of decisions and actual follow-up, and whether it will constitute a real starting point for moving the outstanding issues, or whether vital projects in Tripoli will remain hostage to postponed plans and promises.
