The “Bekaa Forum for Development and Belonging” concludes its work in Al-Azhar Al-Bekaa and approves a follow-up mechanism for the governorate’s demands, Saturday, August 8, 2026.translated

The “Bekaa Forum for Development and Belonging” concludes its work in Al-Azhar Al-Bekaa and approves a follow-up mechanism for the governorate’s demands. Saturday, August 8, 2026

His Eminence Metropolitan Antonius (of Sour) Al-Jazel participated in the general meeting in the Bekaa under the title “The Bekaa: Development and Belonging” in Azhar Al-Bekaa, accompanied by His Holiness the Deacon Arsanios (Kosa), in the presence of a crowd of religious, spiritual, political, economic, social, cultural and academic figures, mayors, mukhtars and representatives of civil society institutions.

The meeting concluded by emphasizing that the development of the Bekaa is part of the development of Lebanon and the strengthening of its stability and unity, and that addressing the chronic deprivation that the governorate suffers from requires moving from the stage of presenting demands to the stage of institutional work, by defining priorities and setting time plans and clear follow-up mechanisms. The attendees approved a final document that includes a set of development demands and priorities, stressing the need to follow them up with state institutions, ministries and relevant departments, and work to transform them into implementable projects and decisions. The attendees also announced that the meeting had adopted a permanent national framework under the name “The Bekaa Forum for Development and Belonging,” to be a comprehensive space for dialogue and consultation, and a platform for following up on the governorate’s issues, monitoring its needs, preparing studies and proposals, coordinating efforts between the relevant authorities and bodies, and enhancing cooperation with state institutions and the private sector. He decided to meet...