Region | Lebanon
Funds for victims of Tripoli clashes
Lebanese and pan-Arab funds have allocated $200 million (Dh730 million) to compensate victims of sectarian violence at the city of Tripoli.
- By Duraid Al Baik, Associate Editor
- Published: 23:52 September 15, 2008
Dubai: Lebanese and pan-Arab funds have allocated $200 million (Dh730 million) to compensate victims of sectarian violence at the city of Tripoli.
A special joint account has been opened to develop the Sunni and Alwaite areas in the city that witnessed intensive conflicts between the two groups in the past three months.
Assad Harmoush, head of the political bureau of the Islamic Group and one of the signatories of the Tripoli Agreement inked last week, told Gulf News by phone that Sa'ad Hariri, Chief of Al Mustakbal Stream and leader of the majority in the parliament, pledged $200 million (Dh730 million) for the development of the deprived Alwaite neighbourhood of Jabal Mosen, and Bab Al Tabaneh, a Sunni area.
Hariri brokered the deal between the warring parties, which claimed 23 civilian lives since the conflict erupted in May.
Harmoush said the special fund will invest in building modern infrastructure in the two areas, and rebuilding and renovating houses damaged during the conflict.
"Some 1,400 families from both sides will benefit from the compensation scheme," he said. "They will be brought back to their homes which they have abandoned because of the fighting."
Rebuilding houses
He said a specialised engineering committee from Al Mustakbal is currently conducting a comprehensive survey to assess the damage.
The second stage will include the appointment of contractors to conduct reconstruction and repair in the two areas.
Harmoush said there is unanimous agreement among different parties that fighting will achieve no political gains.
"The settlement, which is granted by the Mufti of Tripoli (highest spiritual authority in the city) and other senior figures including the leader of Alwaite, Ali Eid, is the result of sincere works of all parties," he said.
He expects the deal to stand because all parties are convinced that fighting will bring more destruction to the areas of conflict, which are already deprived of basic services.
Fighting between the two groups started after Hez-bollah fighters stormed Beirut on May 7. Sunnis in the city considered Alwaites a pro-Syria group that supports Hezbollah.
The leaders of the Alwaite sect denied it has an alliance with Hezbollah, but said they are not against Syria.
Harmoush said the signing of the deal paved the way for more reconciliation, mainly between Sunnis and the Shiite party of Hezbollah.
"I think the national dialogue conference to be held under the patronage of the president will bring some real good news," he said.
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