Project Watan calls for upholding UNIFIL and the Armistice Agreement, and for digitizing national records in the Archives Department

Project Watan’s Executive Board held its weekly meeting, chaired by MP Neemat Frem and attended by all members, to review recent developments. The following statement was issued afterward:

• Project Watan reiterates the importance of upholding international resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 1701. In this context, and amid concerns about possible attempts to end the mission of peacekeeping forces in the South, Lebanon must firmly uphold the Armistice Agreement – originally established by an international resolution and reaffirmed in several subsequent ones – and work to remain within the scope of international engagement, playing its role amid the major transformations unfolding in our region.
• The Executive Board discussed the sudden evacuation of the Commercial Registry building in Baabda due to fears of structural collapse – a scenario that, had it occurred, could have resulted in the loss of all essential files and records. In light of this, Project Watan renews its call for the urgent digitization and electronic archiving of public administration records, from commercial and land registries to civil status and health records. These digital files should be deposited in the National Archives Department, consolidated in a single, secure location protected from all risks, as they constitute a vital component of our national security.
• The Board expressed concern over the tendency to approach political matters as economic ones have been handled. They questioned why urgent reforms continue to be ignored, while waste remains unchecked – only to be offset by increased taxes on citizens already worn down by successive financial crises.

Imposing taxes on fuel is a serious mistake in both principle and practice, particularly as diesel oil functions as the lifeblood of the productive sector – from bakeries to factories. Raising production costs is unacceptable at a time when stimulating production is essential to reviving Lebanon’s economy.