A view of the Beirut port prior to the Aug. 4, 2020 port explosion. (Credit: Joseph Barrak/AFP)
BEIRUT — Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said Monday that the Lebanese government would take measures to stop the trafficking of illicit goods among its exports, amid efforts to repair ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Here is what we know:
• "We gathered today to follow up on resolving issues with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states… What is required of us is to take quick and practical measures to prove that the government is carrying out its duties in controlling the borders, the airport, and port,” said Mawlawi in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the NNA reported.
• Saudi Arabia previously banned Lebanese fruits and vegetables after Saudi customs officials found 5.3 million Captagon pills hidden inside pomegranates imported from Lebanon. On Oct. 29, Riyadh announced it was banning Lebanese imports after now-resigned Information Minister George Kurdahi criticized Saudi Arabia’s military campaign in Yemen.
• In a statement at the time, Saudi Arabia said it was stopping Lebanese imports to “protect the security of the kingdom and its people,” citing what it claimed was “Hezbollah’s control of all ports” in Lebanon.
• Mawlawi said Monday that “we will continue to take the necessary measures [against smuggling]. What is required of us are rapid and serious measures, and we will take several."
• On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman agreed on an initiative to support Lebanon, which includes creating a Franco-Saudi humanitarian support mechanism. A joint Saudi-French statement issued that day did not mention if Riyadh would end its import ban.