THREAD: The the World Bank (WB) has informed #Lebanon's Ministry of Energy and Water that if construction of the Bisri Dam does not recommence by July 22, financing for the project will be withheld. https://al-akhbar.com/Community/291513

2. In turn, the Ministry has instructed the CDR and the construction company to return to the site and begin work urgently, despite the continued and long-standing opposition from many locals, environmentalists, NGOs and activists.

3. This announcement comes just days after the Ministry held additional public engagement sessions around the project - at the request of the World Bank - after the campaign to save Bisri Valley gained exponential support since the October 17 protests.

4. While the WB requires public engagement around the projects it funds, it does not require public support. This was reflected in the gov't's attitude in the public sessions, where concerns about the project were largely dismissed as secondary to the importance of the dam.

5. Now, CSOs and activists for Bisri Valley are calling for support to prevent the construction company from entering the site until the July 22nd deadline has passed. This situation should be closely monitored as it is likely to be a tense week.

6. The Bisri Dam has been a key part of Lebanon's water sector strategy for close to a decade, and is strongly supported by the current gov't. The plan is linked to the Awali conveyor project, the construction of which is already well underway.

7. On the other hand, the majority of municipalities in and around Bisri have withdrawn their permissions for the project, with the support of the dominant political party in the region, the PSP/Ishtirakiyeh. They have also permitted farmers to resume farming plots in the valley.

8. The movement to save Bisri Valley has employed a range of tactics - legal, administrative, awareness, civil disobedience, etc. If successful, this could encourage Lebanese activists and civil society to engage in more varied democratic participation on other political issues.

9. But of utmost importance at the moment are the freedoms and safety of protesters. As part of their due diligence, the World Bank and its donor countries ought to ensure that the financing of this project does not contribute to violations of protesters civil and human rights.