Iranian Organization for Reconstruction in Lebanon: Hopes for a Better Lebanon
Siraj Kobeissy
After the "Israeli" aggression or 33-day war on Lebanon came to an end, people started heading back towards their homes in all Lebanese territories.
Demolished or still standing, people could see and feel their homes as part of a very courageous and heroic country, which was capable of defeating the so called invincible "Israeli" army.
As the majority of residential areas in the Beirut southern suburbs and many areas in the south were demolished, contributions from different organization, countries should have had to be made in order to cover the billions worth damages caused by the "Israeli" aggressions.
However, only few of these contributions and funds were delivered to Lebanon, for various reasons.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, which is considered to be Lebanon's "older brother", presented help through the Iranian Organization for Reconstruction in Lebanon, where it took care of the reconstruction of demolished units, in addition to development projects for Lebanon.
After the July war was over, Hussam Khoshnevis, head of the Iranian Organization for Reconstruction in Lebanon, came to Lebanon along with a prominent Iranian delegation including the President's assistant, and a group of ministers, in order to present support to the Lebanese government and people.
During this visit, the Iranian delegation expressed its total readiness to help the Lebanese people in reconstruction, in addition to trying to restore their pre-war lives.
The Iranian Organization for Reconstruction in Lebanon came to Lebanon along with an official delegation in order to launch its reconstructing work.
It had been 25 years since Iran's Islamic revolution, after which the Iranian people and firms gained experience in post-war consequences and operations.
The organization mainly focused on restoring the best for public service, especially when it comes to infrastructure to facilitate the Lebanese citizens' lives.
On the other hand, the Iranian organization did not neglect the humanitarian and development aspect of the Lebanese's lives, where it also helped reconstruct and build schools, mosques, libraries, and other facilities which were capable of enriching the Lebanese society.
In a complimentary project to the "One Million Tree" Campaign, Iran also contributed in other projects to help making Lebanon once more "evergreen". Tehran's Municipality helped in locating green spots in the Beirut southern suburbs and many other areas in Lebanon.
In this context, Iran designed and opened a public garden in South Lebanon, in the village on Maroun Al Rass near the Palestinian occupied borders, where thanks to Iran; greenery is everywhere to be found.
According to Head of the Iranian Organization for Reconstruction in Lebanon, the reconstructions included 141 educational centers, 73 mosques and churches, 19 health centers including hospitals, 14 main bridges, and 341 branch bridges.
Construction works also included 300 km on main roads, 384 km of construction work on branch roads, 110 projects for electricity, 380 projects for municipalities, 88 infrastructure projects, and many other facilities which the organization used in its reconstruction process.
Naziha Saleh, Development and Economic Sociologist said, "Iran did major changes on the level of the society on all aspects".
Saleh considered that Iran also enhanced the areas in a very creative way, as a gesture from Tehran's municipality.
On the other hand, Naziha Saleh referred that none of this work were shown because the ruling political party was adopting all US policies, where on the official and media level it was not allowed to publicize anything.
"However, the opposition and people of the resistance clearly saw Iran's gestures and appreciated them, those of the Beirut southern suburbs and south Lebanon", the sociologist further added.
In an interview with Intiqad.net, Hussam Khoshnevis said that the organization's main goal was Lebanon's reconstruction, yet on the other hand, it also aims are enhancing and developing Lebanon's vital residential areas.
Khoshnevis expressed concerns over some very low-rated neighborhoods in the Beirut southern suburbs or even some villages in south Lebanon, where water and electricity rarely available.
In this context, the Iranian Organization for Reconstruction in Lebanon aims are further working on developing the Lebanese situation, in addition to investing in all its resources.
Iran and Lebanon nowadays are witnessing a new level of relations, where Energy Minister have agreed on electricity, water, and fuel agreements through which Iran contribute a $ 450 million for Lebanese development.
On a higher level, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will pay a historic visit to Lebanon, during which he will sign a number of bilateral agreements to enhance relations on the popular and official levels.
After the "Israeli" aggression or 33-day war on Lebanon came to an end, people started heading back towards their homes in all Lebanese territories.
Demolished or still standing, people could see and feel their homes as part of a very courageous and heroic country, which was capable of defeating the so called invincible "Israeli" army.
As the majority of residential areas in the Beirut southern suburbs and many areas in the south were demolished, contributions from different organization, countries should have had to be made in order to cover the billions worth damages caused by the "Israeli" aggressions.
However, only few of these contributions and funds were delivered to Lebanon, for various reasons.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, which is considered to be Lebanon's "older brother", presented help through the Iranian Organization for Reconstruction in Lebanon, where it took care of the reconstruction of demolished units, in addition to development projects for Lebanon.
After the July war was over, Hussam Khoshnevis, head of the Iranian Organization for Reconstruction in Lebanon, came to Lebanon along with a prominent Iranian delegation including the President's assistant, and a group of ministers, in order to present support to the Lebanese government and people.
During this visit, the Iranian delegation expressed its total readiness to help the Lebanese people in reconstruction, in addition to trying to restore their pre-war lives.
The Iranian Organization for Reconstruction in Lebanon came to Lebanon along with an official delegation in order to launch its reconstructing work.
It had been 25 years since Iran's Islamic revolution, after which the Iranian people and firms gained experience in post-war consequences and operations.
The organization mainly focused on restoring the best for public service, especially when it comes to infrastructure to facilitate the Lebanese citizens' lives.
On the other hand, the Iranian organization did not neglect the humanitarian and development aspect of the Lebanese's lives, where it also helped reconstruct and build schools, mosques, libraries, and other facilities which were capable of enriching the Lebanese society.
In a complimentary project to the "One Million Tree" Campaign, Iran also contributed in other projects to help making Lebanon once more "evergreen". Tehran's Municipality helped in locating green spots in the Beirut southern suburbs and many other areas in Lebanon.
In this context, Iran designed and opened a public garden in South Lebanon, in the village on Maroun Al Rass near the Palestinian occupied borders, where thanks to Iran; greenery is everywhere to be found.
According to Head of the Iranian Organization for Reconstruction in Lebanon, the reconstructions included 141 educational centers, 73 mosques and churches, 19 health centers including hospitals, 14 main bridges, and 341 branch bridges.
Construction works also included 300 km on main roads, 384 km of construction work on branch roads, 110 projects for electricity, 380 projects for municipalities, 88 infrastructure projects, and many other facilities which the organization used in its reconstruction process.
Naziha Saleh, Development and Economic Sociologist said, "Iran did major changes on the level of the society on all aspects".
Saleh considered that Iran also enhanced the areas in a very creative way, as a gesture from Tehran's municipality.
On the other hand, Naziha Saleh referred that none of this work were shown because the ruling political party was adopting all US policies, where on the official and media level it was not allowed to publicize anything.
"However, the opposition and people of the resistance clearly saw Iran's gestures and appreciated them, those of the Beirut southern suburbs and south Lebanon", the sociologist further added.
In an interview with Intiqad.net, Hussam Khoshnevis said that the organization's main goal was Lebanon's reconstruction, yet on the other hand, it also aims are enhancing and developing Lebanon's vital residential areas.
Khoshnevis expressed concerns over some very low-rated neighborhoods in the Beirut southern suburbs or even some villages in south Lebanon, where water and electricity rarely available.
In this context, the Iranian Organization for Reconstruction in Lebanon aims are further working on developing the Lebanese situation, in addition to investing in all its resources.
Iran and Lebanon nowadays are witnessing a new level of relations, where Energy Minister have agreed on electricity, water, and fuel agreements through which Iran contribute a $ 450 million for Lebanese development.
On a higher level, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will pay a historic visit to Lebanon, during which he will sign a number of bilateral agreements to enhance relations on the popular and official levels.
