Under the generous patronage of MP Nasser Jaber, “Totango” Restaurant – Beaufort hosted a joyful iftar party, jointly organized by the Nabatieh Governorate Merchants Association and the Nabatieh City Municipality, with the support of the Council of the South and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Sidon and the South, marking the launch of the activities of the Ramadan Festival “Nabatieh Brings Us Together.”
The occasion witnessed a remarkable presence, which included MP Hani Qubaisi, Ali Qanso, represented by MP Mohamed Raad, head of the political bureau of the Amal Movement, Jamil Hayek, member of the Presidency, Khalil Hamdan, member of the Executive Board, Bassem Lama, head of the South Council, Engineer Hashem Haidar, head of the Nabatieh Governorate Merchants Association, Musa al-Horr Shmeisani, head of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Mohamed Saleh, and mayor of Nabatieh, Abbas Fakhr al-Din, in addition to an elite group of social and cultural figures and events.
After a welcoming and introductory speech presented by Muhammad Bitar, MP Jaber delivered a speech in which he stressed that launching the festival in the holy month of Ramadan carries a strong message that Nabatieh will remain tall and steadfast, and a field for work and giving. He stressed that the Lebanese people reject the war and are not satisfied with the ongoing Israeli attacks, calling on the international community to intensify its efforts to force Israel to adhere to Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement.
Jaber pointed out that organizing the festival in this delicate circumstance is an expression of refusal to surrender, and an affirmation of the ability of Nabatieh and the south to recover and rise again, noting that the commercial sector and the Lebanese citizen have borne the burdens of the economic collapse, which requires the support of institutions to maintain the steadfastness of society.
He stressed that the regions that stood firm and made sacrifices deserve a fair and clear development plan based on an integrated economic vision, praising the role of the Southern Council in supporting the people since the beginning of the aggression. He explained that reconstruction is not just a “slogan,” but rather a “political and national commitment” that must be translated into infrastructure projects, financing facilities, and tax incentives that support productive sectors.
He explained that reconstruction also means “rebuilding people, the economy, and confidence,” reviving markets, supporting local industries, and providing job opportunities for young people. He called for supporting and financing small and medium enterprises as “the backbone of the local economy.” He also affirmed his parliamentary commitment within the Development and Liberation Bloc headed by President Nabih Berri to work on reform legislation and development projects, stressing that “the electoral entitlement must be completed on time without any postponement.”
For his part, the mayor of Nabatieh, Abbas Fakhr El-Din, gave a speech, and there was also a speech by the journalist Tareq Marwa. The head of the Nabatieh Governorate Merchants Association, Moussa El-Horr Shmeisani, welcomed the attendees, stressing that the commercial sector had gone through difficult circumstances, but the Nabatieh merchant remained steadfast, considering that the month of Ramadan represented an opportunity to move the economic wheel. Shmeisani criticized the imposed taxes and fees, and called on the state to reconsider them in a way that takes into account the “difficult living conditions” and ensures the continuity of markets.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Ramadan Festival activities were launched by lighting the Ramadan lantern in the commercial market of Nabatieh.
