NNA - Caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamieh, indicated that the Lebanese ports and all public facilities affiliated with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport are within the circle of safety as long the laws and Lebanese sovereignty are respected, noting that this transcends all other considerations for the interest of Lebanon.

In a statement on social media, he confirmed that "the Syrian ship, LAODICEA, is now outside Lebanese territorial waters."

The Minister had earlier announded that “the Syrian ship, LAODICEA, coming from the Russian Federation, passing through Lebanon to Syria, was granted permission to leave by the Tripoli Port Auhtority, in accordance with the Lebanese legal principles, based on our sovereignty over our land, sea and air."

========R.Sh.