Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rassamni, denied Wednesday reports claiming that Beirut Port is being used for arms smuggling into Lebanon. He emphasized that security at the port is "firmly controlled" and rejected media reports suggesting the involvement of Hezbollah in using the port for arms smuggling following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria and the loss of land supply routes.
اضافة اعلان
Rassamni made these statements in a press conference held after a tour of Beirut Port, responding to media reports that claimed Hezbollah was using the port to smuggle weapons into Lebanon by sea.
“There is no evidence or proof of arms smuggling from or to the port,” Rassamni said, adding, “Security here (at the port) is firmly controlled, and I have requested stricter monitoring to maintain security.”
In response to skepticism about security levels at the port, the Lebanese minister stressed, "No one will be allowed to question this issue."
However, he acknowledged some customs violations related to smuggling, clarifying that "customs smuggling is natural, but it is unacceptable."
Rassamni mentioned that his ministry is working on bringing in more inspection equipment, including scanners, and assured that operations at the port "will proceed with the same efficiency we employed at the airport."
