Tripoli citadel inaugurated following landmark UK funded restoration project

Tripoli's historic 12th century "Citadel Raymond De Saint Gilles" was officially inaugurated following months of restoration efforts carried out by the Lebanese army and youth from marginalized communities, through UK funding to the NGO MARCH.

Wednesday's inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Head of Mission Victoria Dunne with the Director General of Antiquities at the Ministry of Culture (representing Minister Ghassan Salameh) Sarkis Al Khoury, Tripoli's Mayor Dr. Abdel Hamid Kareemeh, senior Lebanese Army officers, Head of MARCH Lea Baroudi and local youth from the city.

"This UK-funded restoration project is a powerful testament to the collaborative spirit between the Lebanese Army and marginalized youth in Tripoli, underscoring a shared commitment to preserving the city's rich heritage for future generations," the British Embassy in Beirut said, adding that the UK has funded MARCH, since 2016, to help reduce sectarian tensions and support community cohesion, by engaging at-risk youth from marginalized communities in Tripoli and Beirut.

Following the inauguration, Deputy Head of Mission Victoria Dunne said:

"I am proud of the UK’s support to restore Tripoli’s oldest historic Citadel, which brought together the Lebanese Armed Forces and Tripoli’s young people through the NGO MARCH. Hand in hand, these initiatives promote community cohesion here in Tripoli and across Lebanon, fostering trust between local communities and Lebanese institutions."