A Cabinet meeting was held on Thursday afternoon, headed by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the situation in Lebanon.
The meeting was attended by members of various ministries to form contingency plans in case the situation in Lebanon were to escalate.
Discussing the issue of the Rafic Hariri International Airport, caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transportation Ali Hamieh stated, “The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation has prepared a comprehensive report on the airport weaknesses, issues and requirements that require Cabinet approval. The report includes 13 items, which were all approved today by the Lebanese government.”
Hamieh continued, “We will work as a task force in coordination with the Council for Development and Reconstruction and private companies that have contracts with the Lebanese state to enhance operational efficiency at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport.”
Hamieh also explained that emergency plans have been developed by the Ministry, and that these include “Lebanon’s bridges, roads and its four commercial ports in Saida, Tyre, Beirut and Tripoli.”
Caretaker Minister of Industry George Bouchikian stated that Cabinet discussed the option of using the Qleyaat and Rayak airports.
“As the Ministry of Industry, we raised this issue, and we informed the Minister of Public Works that these two airports will be studied in terms of the feasibility of converting them into cargo airports and charter flight destinations in the near future as part of Lebanon’s civil aviation map,” he explained.
“This step is highly significant and will be a catalyst for the Lebanese economy and industry,” Bouchikian concluded.
