Private company to ‘weigh in’ on silo demolition

BEIRUT — Prime Minister Najib Mikati said during Saturday’s exceptional cabinet session that a private company would be consulted after conflicting opinions arose regarding the fate of the Beirut port grain silos damaged by the Aug. 4 Beirut port blast, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Here’s what we know:

    • In view of the difference of opinion within the cabinet as to whether the silos should be demolished, Mikati said that “[he] would ask a private company to weigh in.”

    • Culture Minister Wissam Mortada opposed the proposed demolition of Beirut port’s grain silos, which had previously been agreed on by the ministers.

    • Since Economy Minister Amin Salam announced plans for the demolition of the silos, there has been fierce debate regarding whether the government should go through with it, including the launch of a petition by the Beirut Urban Declaration and a call for preservation by the blast victims’ families.