The World Bank recently issued a statement on the status of the Bisri Dam project. In details, the World Bank commented that the project has been on suspension since June 26, 2020 and that the Lebanese government has accordingly requested a 3-month extension to the July 22 deadline. The World Bank commented that it is in the process of assessing the achieved progress by the Lebanese government on the project while also stressing on the importance of peacefully handling the protesters opposing the project. Finally, the World Bank stressed on its readiness to cooperate with the Lebanese government on how to best utilize the funds allocated to the project to respond to the urgent needs of the Lebanese people.

It is worth noting that the Bisri Dam project was approved by the World Bank on September 30, 2014 at a total cost of $617 million. The project is expected to store some 125 million cubic meters of water which would serve the Greater Beirut and Mount Lebanon area.