NGO says Tyre reconstruction ‘mutilating’ historic port

TYRE, Lebanon: The reconstruction of the Fishermen Unions office building in the area surrounding Tyres old port has met with objections from an association dedicated to preserving the citys historical heritage.

The International Association to Save Tyre is protesting mutilating the Phoenician port and bridging parts of it, which contradicts the principle of preserving heritage sites, and has led to UNESCO threatening to take Tyre off the list of World Heritage Sites.

Meanwhile, Tyres municipality is stressing the need to reconstruct the unions building, which was built in the late 1980s.

According to the construction manager at Madnat Contracting Company, Adham Mahmoudy, the new building is being constructed on the ruins of the old building according to standards that take into consideration the character of the place and the maritime facade.

We are not going anywhere near the historical [heritage] site and we are not building on any heritage spot. We are only constructing a new building instead of the old one. We are not destroying ruins or digging any up, Mahmoudy added.

According to the head of the municipal union of Tyre, Abdel-Mohsen Husseini, they [the association] are against development. We are the protectors of the city and its heritage. Where were they living when we protected Tyre from all the mutilation it underwent during the Israeli occupation? I regret that those who issued the statement are against Tyre. They increased destruction in Tyre.

In light of the dispute, a meeting was held last week at Tyres municipality, which included Tyre Mayor Hasan Dbouq, and a number of figures involved in the project. In the meeting, it was decided that construction should continue, while making an amendment to reduce the size of construction and focus more on aesthetics.

The building will represent a professional and social front and show the citys character and heritage by preserving the profession of fishing and fishermens tools which will be displayed to tourists and visitors in the lower part of the building, Dbouq said.

According to Dbouq, there is no alternative location for the facility, with the municipality unable to acquire any building in the area.

The building will take into consideration the aesthetic and heritage side and will be in harmony with the surrounding, Dbouq said.

Originally posted here:
NGO says Tyre reconstruction ‘mutilating’ historic port