NNA - House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Wednesday received at the Second Presidency in Ain El-Tineh, Head of the Progressive Socialist Party, MP Taymour Jumblatt, accompanied by a delegation of the "Democratic Gathering" parliamentary bloc.

Discussions reportedly touched on various developments and current situations, especially the field ones in light of Israel’s continued aggression against the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon.

The delegation also presented with Speaker Berri the paper prepared by the Progressive Socialist Party regarding the file of the displaced Syrians in Lebanon,

Speaker Berri later met with Caretaker Minister of Economy, Amin Salam, with whom he discussed the country’s general conditions, especially the economic ones.

Berri also received today the Director General of Operations at the World Bank, Anna Bjerde, and the new Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at the Bank, Ousmane Dione, with discussions reportedly touching on the country’s financial and economic situation, as well as on the World Bank’s programs in Lebanon.

The delegation expressed the World Bank’s readiness to assist through its programs with surveys and reconstruction of areas affected by the Israeli aggression on southern Lebanese villages and towns, reviewing the course of programs related to alternative energy, water supply to the city of Beirut, and digital transformation.

In turn, Speaker Berri asked the World Bank to “cooperate with the National Council for Scientific Research by conducting the necessary surveys at various levels, especially in the fields of infrastructure, forest and agricultural areas, water, electricity and communications facilities, as well as health, educational and civil facilities and all sectors that have been damaged by the ongoing Israeli aggression.”

This afternoon, Berri received the South Korean Ambassador to Lebanon, Il Park. Discussions between the pair touched on the current developments in Lebanon and the region.

=========L.Y.