Rampling Visits South, Says UK Mine Clearance Support to Continue

As part of his regional visits across Lebanon, British Ambassador to Lebanon Chris Rampling has made his first trip to the southern city of Tyre and the town of Nabatieh, the British embassy said on Friday.

“The visit was an opportunity to meet, among others, with Mine Advisory Group (MAG), Imam Sadr Foundation, and tour the region’s archeological sites,” the embassy said in a statement.

With Mine Advisory Group, Ambassador Rampling received a briefing about their demining efforts in south Lebanon and how new funding from the UK Department for International Development is “helping to save more lives -- Lebanese and refugees alike,” the embassy added.

The UK recently contributed over £2 million to support clearance of many kilometers of cluster munitions across Lebanon.

Rampling also visited the Imam Sadr Foundation and heard from its director Rabab Sadr on the NGO’s current and future projects with a focus on women and refugees.

The ambassador also took some time out to visit the historical archeological sites at Tyre and Beaufort. While in Nabatiyeh, Rampling was hosted by MP Yassine Jaber of the Development and Liberation bloc in the presence of officials and dignitaries from the region.

After the visit, Rampling said: “I am delighted to be returning to the South, and to Tyre. A city steeped in archeological history dating back to Phoenician times. Like many towns in Lebanon, Tyre represents a symbol of coexistence and harmony among its residents. I also visited the beautiful and historic fort: Beaufort Castle, and many interesting people, discussing both our current and possible future support.”

“As part of my visit, I came to hear from Mine Advisory Group (MAG) how the new UK funding is supporting their efforts to clear kilometers of unexploded ordinance. Landmines have left a legacy of suffering across the world, and we are pleased to be working here and across Lebanon to help ordinary people get on with their lives: this was part of the UK commitment in December 2017, and which was the most successful Christmas landmine-clearing appeal ever,” Rampling added.

He said Britian is “pleased to be working closely with the Lebanese Army, UNIFIL, UNDP, the Mine Advisory Group (MAG) and local NGOs, politicians and dignitaries all over Lebanon, and including in the south.”

“I am delighted to have got to understand the region a little better today,” he added.