Social Affairs Minister Hanine Sayyed visited Zahle as part of efforts to address growing social and economic challenges in the Bekaa and strengthen cooperation with local institutions.
Her tour began at Azhar al-Bekaa, where she met Grand Mufti of Zahle and the Bekaa Sheikh Ali al-Ghazawi. Discussions focused on the difficult living conditions facing residents and the need for closer cooperation between public institutions and social organisations to support vulnerable communities.
Sayyed later visited the Zahle and Bekaa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, accompanied by MP George Okais, where she met with board members to discuss employment opportunities, youth training and potential joint initiatives.
The minister highlighted her ministry’s economic inclusion programme, one of its three main pillars alongside the Aman social assistance programme and services provided through social development centres. She stressed the importance of public-private partnerships, particularly in identifying labour market needs and connecting employers with available workers.
She also outlined the ministry’s measures concerning Syrian labour, noting that the issue would be discussed further during an upcoming official Lebanese delegation visit to Syria, led by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri.
Chamber representatives called for expanding cooperation to link vocational training with actual employment opportunities and help young people enter the labour market.
Sayyed’s next stop was Our Lady of Deliverance Archbishopric, where she met Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Zahle and the Bekaa Ibrahim Ibrahim. Discussions centred on the growing needs of vulnerable families and the importance of cooperation between the state, religious institutions and humanitarian organisations.
The minister pointed to the worsening social situation following years of economic collapse, the Beirut port explosion and the latest war, warning that poverty levels have likely risen further. She reaffirmed that social stability remains a government priority and said she was working to secure an increase in the ministry’s budget after raising it by 40% last year.
She also proposed establishing a direct coordination channel between the ministry and the archbishopric to identify local needs and develop joint social initiatives.
The tour ended at Zahle’s municipal palace with a roundtable discussion bringing together MPs, municipal officials and representatives of civil society organisations. The meeting addressed social protection, economic inclusion, local development priorities and ways to improve coordination between the ministry and local authorities.
Zahle Mayor Salim Ghazaleh presented a proposal for cooperation with the ministry aimed at improving access to social services, identifying community needs and expanding rehabilitation and economic empowerment programmes.
Her tour began at Azhar al-Bekaa, where she met Grand Mufti of Zahle and the Bekaa Sheikh Ali al-Ghazawi. Discussions focused on the difficult living conditions facing residents and the need for closer cooperation between public institutions and social organisations to support vulnerable communities.
Sayyed later visited the Zahle and Bekaa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, accompanied by MP George Okais, where she met with board members to discuss employment opportunities, youth training and potential joint initiatives.
The minister highlighted her ministry’s economic inclusion programme, one of its three main pillars alongside the Aman social assistance programme and services provided through social development centres. She stressed the importance of public-private partnerships, particularly in identifying labour market needs and connecting employers with available workers.
She also outlined the ministry’s measures concerning Syrian labour, noting that the issue would be discussed further during an upcoming official Lebanese delegation visit to Syria, led by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri.
Chamber representatives called for expanding cooperation to link vocational training with actual employment opportunities and help young people enter the labour market.
Sayyed’s next stop was Our Lady of Deliverance Archbishopric, where she met Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Zahle and the Bekaa Ibrahim Ibrahim. Discussions centred on the growing needs of vulnerable families and the importance of cooperation between the state, religious institutions and humanitarian organisations.
The minister pointed to the worsening social situation following years of economic collapse, the Beirut port explosion and the latest war, warning that poverty levels have likely risen further. She reaffirmed that social stability remains a government priority and said she was working to secure an increase in the ministry’s budget after raising it by 40% last year.
She also proposed establishing a direct coordination channel between the ministry and the archbishopric to identify local needs and develop joint social initiatives.
The tour ended at Zahle’s municipal palace with a roundtable discussion bringing together MPs, municipal officials and representatives of civil society organisations. The meeting addressed social protection, economic inclusion, local development priorities and ways to improve coordination between the ministry and local authorities.
Zahle Mayor Salim Ghazaleh presented a proposal for cooperation with the ministry aimed at improving access to social services, identifying community needs and expanding rehabilitation and economic empowerment programmes.
