The RLTT offered the municipality of Tyre the highest flagpole in Lebanon that was raised today for the occasion of the Independency Day at the Northern Entrance of the city. The ceremony was held in the presence of big crowd and supported by the President of Parliament Mr. Nabih Berri, represented by the RLTT’s President Eng. Nassif Seklaoui, in the presence of numerous notable spearheaded by Metropolitans Chokr Allah Nabil El Hajj and Mikhael Abras, the representative of Amal Movement in Jabal Amel Eng. Ali Esmail, Member of Political Office of Amal Movement Mr. Mohammad Ghazal, Chief of the union of Tyre municipalities Mr. Abdel Mohsen Al Husseini, Commandant of Tyre Police Brigade Major Abdo Khalil, as well as representatives of the Lebanese Army, Red Cross, Civil Defense, Risala Scout, and other social organizations.
Al Risala Scout Band inaugurated the ceremony by playing the National Anthem. Then, Mrs. Sara El Souki delivered the opening speech, and the Chief of Tyre municipality Eng. Hassan Dbouk spoke. He said: “today’s ceremony occurs at the same time as the Independency Day, which together represent two beautiful occasions. Independency is an occasion that we long to live within the recent hard circumstances that strike the nearby countries. This must compel us to stay devoted and to be ready to sacrifice in order to protect our independency and to adhere in the Lebanese national unity, by rejectinand we published a statement under the title “Beirut Declaration”. Hopingly, we would continue the circle of consultation and cooperation in order to form a body of national companies in these countries.”
The General Manager of the Syrian tobacco national company, Mr. Nader Abdallah said: “this meeting encourages us to give even more, to accomplish our duties, and to excel our productivity even during wars.”
The President of tobacco sector in the Tobacco Oriental Company in Egypt Mr. Nasr Abdel Aziz said: “we agreed with the minister upon a unified vision because the subject that we approached in Beirut Declaration is of high importance for all the governmental companies, whether in Tunisia, Syria, Egypt, or Lebanon. He added: “we do not promote smoking, rather we respect the decisions of WHO and warnings are shown of the packages. As well, we respect the duties imposed by the Ministry of Health. However, we shall be aware for the future, which requires the consolidation of Arab efforts in order to support the economies of these countries, since we are one of the government’s entities, so we could reach a common speech that helps us developing our societies.”
The General Manager of Tobacco Factory in Tunisia Mr. Imad Atiah, said: “the coordination between Arabs is back, and we are facing a common enemy represented in smuggling networks that have close relations with terrorist networks. Whatever formula on the level of tobacco sector or tobacco industry should take into consideration the brutal attack over our countries from the part of smugglers and terrorists. Thus, our destiny is to unify in order to coordinate among us and to stand against these phenomena that threaten our national security.”
Yesterday, the parties meeting in the Regie had underlined in Beirut Declaration “the need for modern and moderate legislations that take into consideration tobacco production, import processes, and the sector’s financial contribution in the national economy through tax revenues, which is an important factor for the national reserve’s sustainability, as well as the employment opportunities it provides.”
In addition, the attendees warned of “the potential and reversed impacts that could arise from tobacco illicit trade, including counterfeit and smuggling that in turn could participate in supporting terrorism”. As well, they reminded that “tobacco production and trade had took a significant role in developing the economy in several countries”, including theirs, along “its capability to continue playing such role”.
They considered that “tobacco farming contributes in developing agricultural communities, reducing poverty levels, and keeping farmers in their lands”, since it constitute a “legal and authorized activity that does not implicate any condemnation, exclusion, nor restriction of support comparing with other types of agriculture.”
During the meeting Seklaoui stressed “the advantage of keeping this sector”, considering that cancelling the monopoly in many countries “was not a wise decision; whereas small and uncontrollable companies were established, which led to the increase of smuggling, to the chaos in the market, and to a major decrease in the tobacco sector’s revenues.” As well he considered that “each decision that does not take into consideration the distinction of every country is deemed failed or at least it would damage countries that would adopt it.”