BEIRUT, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Friday that the government was advancing reconstruction in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh district, with 23 tenders for road repairs, debris removal, shelter rehabilitation and medical equipment, plus 12 tenders to repair five hospitals and carry out electricity and water projects.
Speaking during his third visit to Nabatieh since taking office, Salam acknowledged that needs far exceeded the state's current capacity, calling the projects practical steps toward recovery.
"These projects alone do not compensate for the scale of the losses, but they mean that we have moved from limiting ourselves to assessing damage and identifying priorities to awarding contracts and implementation," he said.
Salam said the government required significant funding and was working with international institutions to secure it, noting discussions with the UN secretary-general, U.S. officials, and the World Bank president.
He also announced the completion of the rehabilitation of the Nabatieh government administrative complex and the reopening of the state security center, personal status department, and general security center.
Reaffirming Lebanon's priorities -- ending Israeli attacks, securing Israel's full withdrawal from Lebanese territory and enabling displaced southerners to return, Salam stressed that Lebanon could not keep its residents displaced and reconstruction delayed while waiting for broader regional developments.
He also said strengthening the state's presence in the south was essential to security, stability, and the return of residents, adding that Lebanon's "real guarantee" was a capable state with one army and one decision, particularly on matters of "war and peace." ■
