In collaboration with the Lebanese Army, MARCH installed 496 solar led street lights along the former demarcation lines of Beb El Tebbeneh, Jabal Mohsen, Mankoubin, Mallouleh, Haret Jdideh and Al Omary stairs. The solar led street lights were installed across three stages of this project (September 2023, January 2024, February 2025) benefiting the entire area along with an additional donation of 36 solar led lights to the municipality of Tripoli and the Lebanese civil defense. This project benefits everyone who lives or travels along these roads as it is the main route connecting the entire northren region. This initiative was conducted during a special event at Kahwetna and carried the powerful slogan: “To light a small candle is better than staying in darkness.” As a result, Syria Street and other former demarcation lines are now brilliantly lit, rejuvenating the streets and restoring a sense of safety. This initiative has garnered the heartfelt appreciation of residents in the Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods. By involving the twelfth brigade of the army, this initiative showed the significance of incorporating the Lebanese Armed Forces into communal projects aimed at community development and reconciliation. Its primary objective is to significantly enhance security and safety in the Beb El Tebbeneh and Jabal Mohsen areas, which had long been characterized by insecurity and tension stemming from historical conflicts, and mend societal and communal bonds between the communities and the Lebanese Armed Forces. Through the installation of these solar street lights, this project effectively illuminated the once shadowy streets and dark alleys that were associated with fear and violence. Beyond improving visibility, these lights have instilled a greater sense of security, enabling residents to move about more safely at night. The heightened safety and improved illumination have encouraged residents to come together, interact, and engage in activities that foster social cohesion.
Tag: Lebanese Army
Uniting Communities and Bridging Divides on Once-Conflicting Streets in Tripoli
Conflict Overview: Jabal Mohsen and Beb El Tebbeneh Communities vs. Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) The communities of Beb El Tebbeneh and Jabal Mohsen in Tripoli, Lebanon, have long been marred by tensions and conflict. Most of the conflict and clashes have taken on two main streets in Tebbeneh, Syria and Malloule streets, once conflict zones. For years, political and sectarian divisions fueled hostilities between these neighboring areas. After that, in 2014, a ceasefire was implemented and the LAF, the only security institution responsible in Tripoli, was seen as insufficient and biased by both neighborhoods. The conflict with the LAF also stems from deep-seated mistrust and perceived partiality, which has exacerbated tensions and fueled ongoing disputes which led to strained relations between the communities of Jabal Mohsen and Beb El Tebbeneh and the LAF. MARCH’s Approach to Building Bridges To bridge the communal divide between both the communities of Jabal Mohsen and Beb El Tebbeneh as well as with these communities and the LAF, MARCH worked on implementing communal events in specific targeted areas with the aim of breaking down long-standing barriers and promoting unity and peace through inclusive activities involving both communities and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). Youth and Army Join Forces for Peace: The First festival on Syria Street Unites To strengthen the relationship collaboration and trust between residents and the LAF, community engagement sessions and trust-building workshops were held prior to the events. The first communal event took place on October 8th on Syria Street, engaging 70 at-risk youth (30 women, 40 men) and 451 army members. The event featured joint entertainment parade shows by the Lebanese Army which marked the first time ever after the 2014 clashes that the army implements entertainment activities on Syria street. Highlights included 30 army members rappelling, 36 participating in an army march, and over 1,000 servings of traditional foods distributed. Former Conflict Zone Hosts Unity Festival: The Second Communal Festival on Malloule Street On April 19th, a second event was held on Malloule Street, strategically located between the former conflict lines of Jabal Mohsen and Beb El Tebbeneh. It involved 70 youth and 72 army members in organizing, entertainment, and logistical roles. The event featured food stations, martial arts show, and entertainment activities. The youth of MARCH and LAF jointly managed security, logistics, and communication, fostering collaboration and trust. Fostering Unity and Stability through MARCH’s Community Initiatives The event successfully drew 2,800 community members which proved to be a success in improving the relations between the youth of Jabal Mohsen and Beb El Tebbeneh. By engaging in joint events and cooperative projects, the youth of MARCH have begun to build mutual respect and understanding between their communities and the LAF. This collaboration has helped to break down long-standing barriers, reduce animosity, and foster a sense of shared purpose, paving the way for a more harmonious and cooperative community. After the community engagement activities, the community now perceives the LAF more positively. These initiatives have also demonstrated the LAF’s commitment to helping to alleviate previous biases and misconceptions. The increased visibility of the LAF’s efforts to work collaboratively and address community concerns has fostered greater trust and cooperation, contributing to a more supportive and collaborative relationship between the LAF and the community. Much More to Come! MARCH’s community events successfully brought together the divided communities of Jabal Mohsen and Beb El Tebbeneh, promoting peace and a positive change in perception towards the other. By involving the youth of which most are former fighter or previously incarcerated individuals and the LAF, the initiatives helped change their negative perceptions, as they have only seen the LAF on the checkpoints now they see the LAF as aiding in contributing to long-term stability. Through shared activities and cooperative planning, the events highlighted the potential for unity in even the most challenging environments.
United for Tripoli : Football tournament
Sports for Reconciliation: Bridging Divides between Former Fighters and the Lebanese Armed Forces Tripoli has long grappled with conflict, social unrest, and insecurity within its communities, particularly in Jabal Mohsen and Beb El Tebbeneh. Furthermore, socio-economic instability, gang activity, drug use, and the widespread presence of illegal weapons have intensified these challenges. This situation often places the Lebanese Army, already operating with limited resources, and continuously on the brink of conflict with these communities. MARCH’s projects’ focused on repairing and mending relations between the communities of Jabal Mohsen and Beb El Tebbeneh and the Lebanese Army, as well as fostering reconciliation among the communities themselves. As part of its distinctive Sports for Reconciliation initiatives, MARCH organized a joint football tournament aimed to mitigate divisions and tensions by uniting army personnel and at-risk youth in a spirit of unity and camaraderie. The Tournament From the 19th to the 27th of July 2023, the tournament brought together 20 members of the Lebanese Armed Forces’ 12th brigade and 41 at-risk youth from Tripoli’s Jabal Mohsen and Beb el Tebbeneh neighborhoods. Additionally, around 70 community members and 60 army personnel participated in or attended the event with the aim of celebrating the unity and spirit of the youth and army’s collaboration. Breaking Barriers through capacity building Prior to the tournament, participants underwent workshops focusing on cultural sensitivity, communication skills, and conflict resolution. These sessions aimed to equip participants with the tools necessary to engage in constructive dialogue and overcome long standing barriers between communities and the army. Many of the youth had never interacted with army personnel before, and did not even accept to be part of the initiative at first, viewing them as adversaries. Through facilitated discussions and storytelling sessions, the youth shared personal experiences, fostering empathy and recognizing commonalities that transcended divides. Closing Ceremony The tournament culminated in a closing ceremony attended by prominent figures, including the General Coordinator of MARCH, Lea Baroudi, and General Major Fadi Bou Haidar, commander of the 12th brigade. Trophies and medals were awarded to recognize the youths’ achievements and contributions to fostering unity and dialogue. In conclusion, the United for Tripoli Football Tournament 2023 demonstrated the power of sport and dialogue in bridging divides and fostering understanding among communities long divided by conflict. By bringing together army personnel and at-risk youth, this initiative laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration, reconciliation and mitigating long standing tensions in Tripoli.
Let’s Celebrate Together: Bridging Divides and Fostering Unity in Tripoli
“Let’s Celebrate Together!” This festival, organized by MARCH, brilliantly transformed the old demarcation lines of Jabal Mohsen and Beb El Tebbeneh into a vibrant space for celebration and unity! Stretching along Syria Street, between the neighborhoods of Tebbaneh and Jabal, this event was a collaborative effort with the Lebanese Army. The festival was launched with the aim of fostering a sense of bonding and acceptance between the neighboring areas, which had seen nearly a decade of conflict and division. Nonetheless, in 2014, the implementation of the security plan by the Lebanese Army, marked by mass arrests, resulted in tensions between the communities and the army and trust in the security institutions waned. As a response, and as part of MARCH’s efforts in building bridges between communities and security institutions, the festival sought to rebuild relationships between these communities and between them and the army, featuring a diverse array of unique military and artistic performances. Under the inspiring slogan “Together Against Drugs,” “Together Against Stray Bullets,” and “Together for a More Beautiful Tripoli,” the dedicated young men and women from MARCH, in collaboration with Lebanese Army personnel, set up stalls along Syria Street. They also distributed snacks and beverages to their communities. The Lebanese Army’s initiative to prepare and distribute the renowned “Habayeb” dish of Tripoli captured the community’s attention, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and joy. As we build bridges between security institutions and communities, we are actively promoting a sustainable and positive relationship founded on trust. This trust, in turn, fosters a vital sense of safety and security in the area. At last, the “Let’s Celebrate Together” festival is a testament to the power of unity and shared celebrations in mending divides and promoting harmony within a community. It serves as an example of how even after years of conflict, reconciliation is achievable through collaborative efforts and a shared vision of a brighter future. Together, we can indeed celebrate and build a better, more secure Tripoli.
اللواء – مهرجان ترفيهي في البداوي
بدعوة من “متحدون من أجل طرابلس” وبالتعاون مع جمعية “مارش” وبتنظيم من الجيش اللبناني أقيم اليوم مهرجانا ترفيهيا تحت عنوان “يلا نفرح سوا” وذلك في شارع سوريا في منطقة باب التبانة بهدف دعم الاستقرار بين منطقتي باب التبانة وجبل محسن بعدما قرر الأهالي وقف القتال المهرجان تضمن عروضات عسكرية ورسم على وجوه الأطفال وفقرات غنائية وترفيهية للأطفال من المنطقتين رئيسة جمعية “مارش” ليا بارودي قالت : المهرجان من تنظيم الجيش اللبناني بالتعاون مع شباب من جبل محسن والتبانة، المجموعات الثلاثة هدفها دعم تعاون الطرفين لما فيه مصلحة المنطقتين ، النشاط يقوم على خطوط التماس السابقة ، ومن بعد عشر سنوات من تنفيذ الخطة الأمنية ، نحن نسعى الى تعميق المودة بين الطرفين لتطوير العلاقات وتحسينها ، وبنفس الوقت نحن نقوم بالتوعية من آفة المخدرات والرصاص الطائش وكل ما يمكن له زعزعة الأمن والإستقرار من جهته العميد المتقاعد يعقوب معوض أكد أن أهالي المنطقتين قرروا وقف القتال وهم اليوم ينعمون بالسلام وقال: منذ عشر سنوات كنا في نفس النقطة ننفذ خطة أمنية، وحينها بطريقة عفوية وضع أهالي التبانة وجبل محسن الايد بالايد” وقرروا وقف الحرب بينهما، اليوم بعد عشر سنوات لا نقول بأننا نحتفل بالمناسبة وإنما ندعم الاستقرار ونثبته بمهرجان للتلاقي بين أضف لهما الجيش اللبناني الطرف الموحد للبنان ككل. العميد المتقاعد سعيد الرز قال:” أهمية النشاط وغيره من الأنشطة لنثبت للجميع أن التبانة ليست خارج نطاق الشرعية ، منذ دخول الجيش وهو يعمل على هذه النقطة وبالفعل تم دمجهم مع الجيش والمؤسسات المانحة، وسنستمر في دعمنا لهذه المنطقة المحرومة والتي ظلم أهلها وبإذن الله ستعود الى سابق عهدها ” باب الذهب” ومصدر رزق ليعيش أهلها بكرامة وعنفوان
سفير الشمال – أهالي التبانة وجبل محسن في مهرجان ترفيهي مشترك
منذ عشر سنوات كان شارع سوريا ” خط تماس” لجولات قتالية إندلعت بين منطقتي باب التبانة وجبل محسن، واليوم شارع سوريا نقطة مهمة لمهرجان ترفيهي ” يلا نفرح سوا” تحت شعار ” متحدون من أجل طرابلس ” اطلقته جمعية مارش بالتعاون مع الجيش اللبناني بهدف دعم الاستقرار بين المنطقتين بحسب ما قالت رئيسة الجمعية ليا بارودي من جهته العميد المتقاعد يعقوب معوض أكد أن أهالي المنطقتين قرروا وقف القتال وهم اليوم ينعمون بالسلام يلا نفرح سوا تضمن عروضات عسكرية ورسم على الوجوه وفقرات غنائية وألعاب ترفيهية للأطفال من المنطقتين
إنارة شارع في طرابلس – mtv
شهد شارع سوريا – التبانة في مدينة طرابلس نشاطًا مميزًا جرى خلاله تدشين مشروع إنارة الشارع الذي ارتبط اسمه بجولات العنف التي شهدتها المنطقة، وذلك بمبادرة من جمعية “مارتش“، بالتعاون مع الجيش اللبناني ويهدف المشروع الذي تعاون شباب جبل محسن وباب التبانة لتنفيذه، إلى إعادة الحياة والأمان للشارع وجرت في نهاية الاحتفال ازاحة الستار عن لوحة تذكارية، وقالت رئيسة الجمعية ليا بارودي: أن تضيء شمعة صغيرة خير لك من أن تلعن الظلمة
وكالة أخبار اليوم – تدشين مشروع انارة شارع سورية – التبانة
شهد شارع سورية – التبانة في مدينة طرابلس الغارق في الظلام نشاطا مميزا جرى خلاله تدشين مشروع انارة March الشارع الذي ارتبط اسمه بجميع جولات العنف البغيضة التي شهدتها المنطقة.، وذلك بمبادرة من جمعية بالتعاون مع الجيش اللبناني إعادة الحياة والامان للشارع، هدف المشروع الذي تعاون شباب جبل محسن وباب التبانة على تفيذه معا كشمعة اضاءة ظلم الاهمال في نهاية الاحتفال جرى ازاحة الستار عن لوحة تذكارية توثق المناسبة وفي كلمتها اشارت رئيسة الجمعية ليا بارودي ان تضيء شمعة صغيرة … خير لك من ان تلعن الظلمة
الشفافية – شمعة تضيء ظلمة العنف في شارع سورية – التبانة
شهد شارع سورية – التبانة في مدينة طرابلس الغارق في الظلام نشاطا مميزا جرى خلاله تدشين مشروع انارة الشارع الذي ارتبط اسمه بجميع جولات العنف البغيضة التي شهدتها المنطقة، وذلك بمبادرة من جمعية بالتعاون مع الجيش اللبناني March يأتي هذا المشروع في إطار جهود إعادة الحياة والامان إلى الشارع، حيث تعاون شباب جبل محسن وباب التبانة على تنفيذه معا، كشمعة تضيء ظلمة الاهمال. وفي نهاية الاحتفال، جرى ازاحة الستار عن لوحة تذكارية توثق المناسبة في كلمتها خلال الاحتفال، اشارت رئيسة الجمعية ليا بارودي إلى أن “إضاءة شمعة صغيرة خير لك من أن تلعن الظلمة”، في إشارة إلى أن هذا المشروع يمثل خطوة مهمة في طريق إعادة الحياة إلى هذا الشارع الذي طالما عانى من العنف يمثل مشروع إنارة شارع سورية – التبانة مبادرة إنسانية ووطنية رائعة، تعكس إرادة الشباب في إعادة الحياة إلى هذا الشارع الذي طالما عانى من العنف. ويؤكد هذا المشروع على أهمية التعاون بين مختلف المكونات الاجتماعية في لبنان، من أجل بناء مستقبل أفضل للبلاد
Collaborative Journey with the Lebanese Armed Forces
In the realm of humanitarian work and community development, successful collaboration is often the linchpin that holds together transformative initiatives. MARCH has exemplified this spirit of collaboration across multiple sectors. One particularly noteworthy partnership that has borne significant fruit is its ongoing relationship with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). Collaborative Journey with the Lebanese Armed Forces In the realm of humanitarian work and community development, successful collaboration is often the linchpin that holds together transformative initiatives. MARCH has exemplified this spirit of collaboration across multiple sectors. One particularly noteworthy partnership that has borne significant fruit is its ongoing relationship with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). Transformative Activities for Positive Change MARCH’s involvement with the Lebanese Armed Forces extends to a wide range of transformative activities. These include: Football Tournaments: MARCH has brought together youth from Jabal Mohsen and Beb El Tebbeneh, along with members of the Lebanese Army, on the football field. These tournaments aid in improving perceptions towards the Lebanese army and between the communities of the respective neighborhoods. This has brought a positive ripple effect as their communities were the audience of such a unique collaboration away from resentment and towards acceptance and collaboration and all in the aim of reducing tensions in the region. Agricultural Projects: By engaging in agricultural initiatives, MARCH contributes to local sustainability efforts to support the army as these projects are implemented in army camps. Not only does this activity aim to support army facilities but also brings them together to work on a mutual goal. Solar Panel Installations: The installation of solar panels not only promotes sustainable energy for the neighborhood but also showcases the positive outcomes of collaboration between communities and the military in bettering their communities. Community Events: MARCH organizes various community events in the respective neighborhoods, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared purpose. Conflict Transformation Sessions: Team-building and conflict transformation sessions aim to improve perceptions and behaviors among at-risk youth, breaking down barriers and biases.This also creates a sense of trust between the communities that establishes sustainable peace in the region. Building Bridges and Reshaping Perspectives Between Communities and the Army: MARCH’s commitment to consistent partnership and coordination with the Lebanese Army has had a profound impact on reshaping perspectives towards the army’s role in post-conflict scenarios. Through diverse activities and cooperative efforts, MARCH has helped foster a better understanding of the army’s mission and its significance in maintaining stability and security. These activities collectively work to improve the perception and behavior of at-risk youth towards the others, whether they are from conflicting communities or members of the Lebanese Armed Forces. By enhancing psychosocial resilience and fostering positive relationships among former foes, MARCH’s efforts have a ripple effect, extending beyond individuals to benefit entire communities. One of the most striking outcomes of this collaboration has been the constructive dialogues it has facilitated between local communities and army members. These interactions have paved the way for mutual understanding and cooperation, transcending historical divides. Strong and Enduring Partnership MARCH’s collaboration with the Lebanese Armed Forces, particularly the 12th and 2nd brigades responsible for the North area, is built on a longstanding relationship. Over the past seven years, MARCH has undertaken successful activities with the army, which continue to be leveraged for this transformative project. Support extended to target communities by the Lebanese Armed Forces and at-risk youth empowers individuals and creates a positive influence that resonates throughout the region. This empowerment extends to socioeconomic integration by enhancing capacity building and vocational skills among at-risk youth. In conclusion, the partnership between MARCH and the Lebanese Armed Forces serves as a shining example of how collaboration can bring about positive change, bridge divides, and contribute to the well-being and unity of communities. Through their joint efforts, they are not only reshaping perceptions but also forging a path towards a more harmonious and prosperous future for all.
