The Independence Movement issued the following press release:

“Now that the true facts regarding the pollution treatment actions on the Rachiine river have been revealed to the public, showing the party that exerted consistent efforts with the concerned bodies to identify the required solutions, get a fund of 2 Million Euro allocated for the project, and start with the implementation works,
“And now that the false claims that were circulated have fallen, exposing those behind them,
“The Independence Movement wishes to reiterate the following points:

• The Independence Movement and its President Michel Moawad have always been and will always keep serving all of the Zgharta-Zawiyat people with no distinction. They will always put all their potential and capacities to serve the region, find solutions to the problems that it faces, and implement development projects.
• The Independence Movement maintains its policy of openness for cooperation with all parties in Zgharta. It is an openness based on transparency and on fighting corruption, aiming for a better society in Zgharta. Development is a joint responsibility. It requires that all the parties put all their potentials together to serve Zgharta-Zawiyat at best.
• Zgharta-Zawiyat always had and will have space for all its components with no exceptions. We would like to use this opportunity to reiterate our call to separate development from politics. Development is not a favour that someone gives to another. It is a right for all. All will benefit from it, regardless of their political affiliation and political differences. Political differences should remain far from development work.
  We are in the 21^st century, and the people of Zgharta have already suffered a great deal from negligence, deprivation, and attempts to subdue development to political affiliations.”