We support protest demonstrations, but without violence

The Ambassador of the United States of America, Dorothy Shea, visited the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Sidon and the South, within the framework of her visit to the city of Sidon, and held an extended meeting with the President of the Chamber , Muhammad Hassan Saleh, in the presence of the members, and it was a presentation of economic relations and means of cooperation to support and develop productive sectors in the Saida region and the south. To the projects implemented by the United States Agency for International Development in support of the agri-food sector in the region.

After the meeting, Shia said, “I am happy to visit Saida today, and I hope to visit this area many times during my stay in Lebanon. I would like to thank Mayor Muhammad al-Saudi for his warm reception and the happiness of Representative Bahiya Hariri. for welcoming me, because your warm reception meant a lot to me. “

He added: “Today there has been a small change in our program due to the protest demonstrations, and although we support the right to peaceful demonstration because of the important value it represents for Americans, we wish that the violence is not interspersed.”

He continued: “We emphasize the importance of cooperation between the two peoples, and I would like to give some examples. During the last two years we have implemented the Life project to support 132 small businesses in Sidon with an investment of more than $ 160,000 in support of the region’s economy, and the usaid project sponsors 29 Sidon students as a full educational scholarship at a cost of $ 3.2 million. ” In addition to the 44 college students who previously graduated from this program, we also support 49 schools in Sidon under the “My Book 2” program, which provides quality instruction to improve basic education, and we will train educational staff because we give ourselves realize the importance of education for the next generation, especially in Saida. “.

He added: “We also affirm our commitment to protect the cultural heritage of Sidon’s wealth with cultural heritage, and we want to be a part of this protection for the sake of future generations. Therefore, we have allocated $ 180,000 to help restore the Sidon Sea Castle and the mosaic in the Eshmoun Temple, and that’s one of the must-visit destinations here. ” Therefore, I must visit them later. In addition, we have participated with the municipality in the delivery of sports aid and sports fields, especially in the municipal stadium, for the benefit of 5,000 people in the city and the neighborhood. Additionally, we are installing solar powered street lamps to improve the safety of 7,000 city residents. “

He concluded: “We are listening to the wishes of the private sectors in Sidon and Lebanon, and we are ready to cooperate with this sector, reform and strengthen it in any way possible as a vital sector for the city, and this requirement is the core of economic growth. of the country. Therefore, we hope to continue participating with our friends and colleagues in this country for the success of this initiative. ” “.