Beirut: Japanese Ambassador to Lebanon, MAGOSHI Masayuki, attended the handover ceremony of the project 'The Clearance of Explosive Remnants of War in Mount Lebanon', funded by the Government of Japan through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), and implemented by Handicap International (Humanity and Inclusion, HI). The ceremony was held in the presence of Mrs. Nahed Al Khlouf, Country Manager of HI; Brigadier General Roger El Khoury, Director of the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), represented by General Mohammad Othman; Mr. Zaher Aoun, Mayor of Mechref; and local community stakeholders.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the project, implemented in El Mechref village, Chouf District, Mount Lebanon, addressed the urgent threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) contaminating approximately 34,500 square meters of land adjacent to Rafik Hariri University and a water reservoir serving nearly 15,000 residents. This clearance operation now ensures the safety of over 2,000 students commuting daily to the university, and local residents relying on the reservoir, significantly reducing risks for both host communities and refugees in the area.
Mayor Zaher Aoun expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Japan, HI, and LMAC for their support. He recalled Mechref's difficult past during the civil war, when landmines caused numerous civilian injuries, and highlighted how clearance marks the village's complete liberation from this deadly legacy. He emphasized that this clearance enables farmers to cultivate their land safely, civil defense teams to move freely, and vital infrastructure projects such as wastewater treatment and reservoir maintenance to proceed without risk. He also voiced his hope for continued collaboration and future projects that would further benefit the village and its people.
Mrs. Nahed Al Khlouf conveyed her appreciation to Japan and LMAC for their support, noting that the clearance of over 34,500 m² of land has brought renewed safety and confidence to Mechref's residents, particularly around key infrastructure such as the water reservoir and the university. She emphasized that this achievement not only removed a longstanding threat but also created opportunities for safe community development and improved quality of life.
General Mohammad Othman commended Japan's valuable and continuous support to Lebanon's national mine action strategy and praised HI's professionalism in implementing the project. He noted that the safe handover of this land to its rightful owners exemplifies humanitarian cooperation and reflects a shared commitment to protecting lives and empowering communities to reclaim their land.
Ambassador MAGOSHI underscored Japan's long-standing partnership with Lebanon in mine action, stressing that clearing explosive remnants not only saves lives but also restores safe access to land, strengthens community resilience, and lays the groundwork for future development. He reaffirmed Japan's commitment to supporting Lebanon's journey towards a mine-free future and lasting socio-economic recovery. Through this project, Japan once again demonstrates its dedication to strengthening human security and supporting the Lebanese people in overcoming the legacies of conflict.