Their Excellencies, Bishop Boulos Abdel Sater, Bishop of the Maronites in Beirut, Elias Odeh, Metropolitan of Beirut for the Greek Orthodox, represented by Father Nektarios Khairallah, Bishop Michel Kassarji, Primate of the Chaldean Church in Lebanon, , Apostolic Vicar Cesar Isaian and Head of the Latin Community, Georges Baconi, Metropolitan of Beirut, Byblos and their dependencies for the Melkite Greek Catholics, Daniel Korea, Primate of the Orthodox diocese of Beirut, George Asadorian, Bishop of Beirut for the Armenian Catholics, and , Patriarchal Vicar Charles Murad for Syriac Catholics in Beirut, the deputies of Beirut: Ghassan Hasbani, Nadim Gemayel, Nicolas Sehnaoui, Jihad Bakradouni, Jean Talouzian and Hagop Terziane, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at the Maronite Diocese of Beirut, to discuss several urgent topics, including the uncontrolled situation in the Mar Mikhael El Nahr area and Gemmayzeh Street, in response to the call and cry of the people.
The meeting issued the following statement:
First, the uncontrolled situation in Mar Mikhael area and Gemmayzeh Street, with the accompanying noise, loud music until the advanced hours of the night and flawed moral transgressions, will inevitably lead, if the situation is not addressed as soon as possible, to the displacement of the residents of the area who suffered as a result of the Beirut port explosion, to the emptying of the area of its people, who have the right to enjoy comfort, and thus to a change in the identity and face of the city of Beirut.
Second: The meeting calls on the concerned officials, especially the Governor of Beirut, Judge Marwan Abboud, the Minister of Interior, Judge Bassam Al-Mawlawi, and the Minister of Tourism, Engineer Walid Nassar, to instruct the security services and the tourist police to strictly prevent violations, especially after the exit of café and restaurant patrons late at night. Taking the necessary measures against institutions that do not meet the conditions, regulating traffic, regulating valet parking and the use of sidewalks, preventing any moral impunity in the streets and between residential buildings, and protecting persons and private property from encroachments.
Third: The meeting will take the necessary practical steps until the desired result is reached.
Fourth: The participants emphasize the importance of tourism in this region and do not want to disrupt it or cause the closure of restaurants and bars with the accompanying interruption of livelihood, but at the same time they strongly demand that the owners of these restaurants and bars abide by the laws and regulations in force.
Fifth: The meeting will continue to hold periodic meetings to follow up on the affairs of the capital related to the issue of the investigation into the Beirut port explosion and compensation for those affected, as well as the economic and social conditions and the concerns of citizens.
In conclusion, it must be noted that the freedom of the individual and of groups depends on the limits of respect for the other, comfort, safety and dignity. Let us all work to preserve the bright, cultural and tourist face of our city under the roof of law, respect and decency.
English