Berri: we will not give up one inch of soil nor drip of water; Lebanon inaugurates water project
Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 10/17/2002

Lebanon on Wednesday inaugurated the project of bringing the waters of al-Wazzani river to the towns and villages which adjoin the spring of the river.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud, the speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri, minister Ali Qansouh as a representative for the prime minister Rafic Hariri, former Lebanese President Elias Hrawi and several Lebanese cabinet ministers and members of parliament; Sheikh Nabil Qawouq, the representative of the Hizbullah party in southern Lebanon, representing the secretary general of the Hizbullah party Hassan Nasrullah and representatives of diplomatic missions in Lebanon and crowded number of Lebanese from various parts of Lebanon.

Berri marked the opening of the project which "is on behalf of the Lebanese government and people." He said that the Lebanese resistance which deterred the Israeli occupation from most of parts of South Lebanon, will continue to liberate the "dear parts" which are still under occupation, foremost being the Shebaa farms and Kafer Shouba hills. He indicated that Israel does not observe UN resolutions and international relations basics approved by the UN. He said that Israel had stolen more than 150 million cubic meters of the Lebanese waters with no body has dared to ask it what it is doing.

On this fact, Berri added, Lebanon has been investing some of its rights to al-Wazzani river waters which meet urgent needs, and this is an introduction to carry out water projects all over Lebanon. He added that Lebanon which did not give up one inch of its lands will not also give up one drop of waters and is committed to its complete rights to its ground and surface waters. Berri also called for drawing a water blue line that includes Lebanon's right to its waters, springs and ground waters.

In their speeches, the Lebanese minister of defense Khalil Hrawi, the information minister Ghazi al-Aridid and the chairman of the parliamentary committee for works Muhammad Qabbani expressed their pride in that day which constitutes a defiance and a victory in the conflict with every one who tries to undermine its steadfastness and national stances.

Worthy mentioning that al-Wazzani river water project irrigates more than 20 towns and villages in southern Lebanon at a production capacity of 4.4 million cubic meters annually so as the total pumping of the project will be from 11 to 15 million cubic meters a year. The project was carried out in a standard time of 59 days.

Previous Stories:
  Lahoud meets Maher; Lebanon starts today pumping of al-Wazzani water   (10/16/2002)
  Assafir: Lebanon denies US request to postpone pumping al-Wazzani river water   (10/12/2002)
  Israel continues provoking Lebanon   (10/11/2002)
  Israeli forces reinforce positions in Shebaa, steal the Roman antiquities   (5/2/2001)
  Lebanon calls for investigation over Israel 's stealing of its waters   (11/3/2000)
  UNIFIL investigates Israeli theft of Lebanese soil, attacks continue   (7/16/1999)
  Israel starts once again the theft of soil from Lebanon   (7/13/1999)

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