NNA – Caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transportation, Ali Hamieh, on Monday held a comprehensive meeting at his ministerial office, focusing on food security and expediting cargo clearance.

Following the meeting, Hamieh stated, "Today’s meeting was convened at the recommendation of Prime Minister Najib Mikati for all stakeholders involved in air and maritime facilities, including Rafik Hariri International Airport, the ports of Beirut and Tripoli, and all other ports. Present were representatives from the Higher Customs Council, the General Directorate of Customs, and key private sector stakeholders, including food importers, customs brokers, shipping agents, and transport intermediaries, to expedite the clearance of goods, especially those essential for daily life, and to foster cooperation with the agencies operating in all Lebanese maritime and aerial facilities."

Hamieh further noted that the discussions covered various topics, leading to shared agreements through collaborative efforts between all parties in both the public and private sectors. 

“The outcomes will be communicated with the relevant ministers concerning land, maritime, and air facilities. The second part of the discussion is scheduled for tomorrow in the Cabinet meeting to make appropriate decisions, with the primary goal of expediting the clearance of goods from all functioning air and maritime facilities across Lebanon,” Hamieh said. The Minister then reiterated his cooperation with public and private sector stakeholders, expressing readiness to facilitate operations in maritime ports, emphasizing that today’s meeting was technical, involving all stakeholders in land, air, and maritime shipping.

Regarding the suspension of certain airlines from flying to Lebanon, Hamieh clarified, "The airlines themselves suspended their flights by sending letters to the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, not by a decision from the Lebanese government."

========R.H.