Lebanon successful operation for pumping al-Wazzani water; October 16 inauguration day

Lebanon yesterday carried out a successful operation for pumping al-Wazzani river waters to al-Teibah basin.

The chairman of southern Lebanon council Qabalan Qabalan said in a radio statement "the experience to bring the water was made successfully. We can say we have completed the first phase of mechanical works on al-Wazzani and things proceeded as scheduled," and that October 16 will be the date for official inauguration to bring the water and that an official celebration will be held then, to be attended by high ranking officials.

Qabalan denied press reports which talked about American mediation and pressure to delay the pumping process, or to bargain the amounts of water that Lebanon will use. He said Lebanon is ignoring the "pressures and threats."