Jumblat Urges Preserving Beirut's Heritage, Warns of Destruction Price in Arab World

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Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat called on Monday for preserving the cultural heritage of Beirut, noting also that the price for destruction in the Arab world is very high.

"If reports saying that the plan to demolish the Massad Stairs (in the Beirut neighborhood of Mar Mikhael) has been canceled, then this is good news for Beirut's heritage that is gradually getting extinct,” Jumblat said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website.

He added: “What about the Fouad Boutros Bridge project that could lead to the destruction of several old buildings in (the Beirut neighborhood of) Ashrafieh?”

"This plan is totally rejected and the residents of the area must be consulted about it.”

Jumblat continued: "We also hope that the controversial plan to transform the St. Joseph garden to a garage is dismissed and that al-Sanayeh public garden restores the beautiful features it had before restoration efforts took place, especially since it represents the last landmarks of Ottoman heritage, in addition to Arab, Islamic, Byzantine and Phoenician cultures.”

Beirut municipality chief Bilal Hamad stated in Tuesday that no decision has been issued to demolish any construction in Beirut, such as the Massad Stairs.

Tackling the regional turmoil, the PSP leader warned that the price to be paid for crises in neighboring countries is higher than the expenses dedicated to construction, development and supporting stability.

"We lament that competitive regional politics do not pay attention to main issues that matter to Arabs,” he said.

"People are looking for basic demands to secure a living, rather than being interested in these political strategies,” he added.

Noting that regional countries “have the right to strike deals that are perceived to serve their national interests,” Jumblat, however, pointed out that looking at the situation in Iraq, Syria and Egypt “makes us wonder about their fate, especially with the intensification of the sectarian conflicts, violence and crimes.”

Comments 6
Thumb souk-el-gharb 18 November 2013, 16:55

well, he wasn't that good to preserve the christian cachet and heritage in the chouf. Centuries of christian presence erased from his emara.
I'm not sure if he become minister of culture he will rebuild the burnt churches and villages...

Missing lebanese69 18 November 2013, 22:58

Hey souk-el-gharb no one asked you or your Lebanese forces to come on the back of the Jewish Tanks to invade the Shouf ,plus the Churches you are talking about wre used to store weapons dude .Move on, and better luck with the PSP next time.

Default-user-icon Respect the LAWS (Guest) 18 November 2013, 17:59

The Minister of Culture...Mr LAYOUN was convinced in a way or another to allow the new owners of Lorient-Lejour Building ( Ex. Asseily Building) in AJAMI Square - Beirut, to demolish the building and keep only the façade. This when there was a Presidential Decree to preserve and restore this building as is. Will they be laws that allow a minister to change a Decree taken by a Higher Authority. I will ask this question to ANYONE in the government , to any honest polition, and now to the Head of Lawyers Council.

Thumb souk-el-gharb 18 November 2013, 19:34

@ ft : what do u mean by 'you' ? Are pretending to know who I am, my confession or for who I vote ?

Thumb souk-el-gharb 18 November 2013, 20:32

ft, believe it or not, i'm a strictly observing sunni, but that doesn't mean I cannot say the truth about what happened during the civil war in the chouf, sabra and chatila,ect...

It might amaze u, but that's the way it is, Christians are my fellow countrymen, and I'm ready to help financially for the reconstruction of their destroyed villages, if they really want to come back.
One of the reasons that got Hariri killed, is that he was thinking this way, Lebanese way.

Thumb cedre 19 November 2013, 00:21

agree with a lot of what u said, but it's important to learn from the errors of the past