Yerevan:Environment Minister Dr. Tamara El Zein has called for the creation of an international environmental emergency fund to aid postwar ecological recovery, highlighting the impact of environmental destruction on public health, food security, and livelihoods.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, El Zein made this appeal during a high-level biodiversity gathering in Armenia, where she represented President Joseph Aoun. She detailed the environmental damage Lebanon faced during the wars of 2023-2024 and 2026, particularly pointing out deliberate attacks on southern forests and nature reserves.

El Zein criticized the limited international focus on environmental rehabilitation, arguing that ecological recovery should happen alongside reconstruction efforts rather than after them. She also urged the international community to denounce the weaponization of the environment in armed conflicts.

Furthermore, she reiterated Lebanon's commitments to climate adaptation and biodiversity, advocating for practical funding mechanisms to support these efforts. On the sidelines of the event, El Zein engaged in meetings to secure technical and logistical assistance for Lebanon's environmental recovery.