Caretaker Public Works and Transportation Minister Ali Hamieh during a tour of Rafik Hariri International Airport, June 24, 2024. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Surrounded by a swarm of diplomatic personnel and journalists, caretaker Public Works and Transportation Minister Ali Hamieh conducted an inspection tour of various buildings at Rafik Hariri International Airport (RHIA) in response to a Telegraph article alleging the presence of Hezbollah weapons at the site.
Following the tour, which included a press conference with multiple speakers, the Egyptian ambassador to Beirut, Alaa Moussa, stated that the tour was “a message of support for Lebanon” amid daily clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army.
“We want to say that what we seek is de-escalation. Tensions must be reduced, and a cease-fire in Gaza must be achieved for calm to return to Lebanon,” the diplomat added.
Regarding the visit, Moussa noted it was a good opportunity to understand the airport’s operations, security measures, and import regulations. He also commented that the Telegraph “must take responsibility for what it wrote,” referring to the article basing its claims on anonymous sources. Moussa affirmed that while he was not “authorized to say whether unusual things are happening at RHIA, what we saw is that international regulations and standards are being followed.”
"Prepared for Any Eventuality"
Hamieh stated that he had decided, in coordination with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, to “explore legal options against the Telegraph.” He invited ambassadors to visit the airport whenever they felt the need to, in coordination with security services. “Israeli planes fly over RHIA daily, causing equipment jamming, but we adhere to all standards and ensure airport security,” he added, emphasizing that RHIA management has been “prepared for any eventuality long before this article, since Oct. 7.”
“Aviation security has taken all necessary measures,” he insisted. The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Fadi al-Hassan, also declared that the tour “showed that RHIA complies with international standards and that all efforts are made to maintain its security.”
From left to right: caretaker Tourism Minister Walid Nassar, caretaker Public Works and Transportation Minister Ali Hamieh, the DG of Civil Aviation, Fadi el-Hassan and caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makary, at RHIA, June 24, 2024. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine / L'Orient-Le Jour)
Caretaker Tourism Minister Walid Nassar mentioned that “tourist arrivals to Lebanon are very good, comparable to 2023, whereas there is a decline in Israel,” which he claims explains Israel’s “psychological warfare” launched against Beirut. He also reiterated his request to the Council of Ministers to operationalize Qleiaat Airport in northern Lebanon.
No Impact on Arrivals
Nassar further stated that the Telegraph article had not caused any cancellations, and caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makary reported “108 planes arriving and 110 departing” since then. According to Hassan, this equates to 15,000 passengers, “which is excellent for June and shows that the article had no impact.”
Several travelers interviewed upon arrival at the airport seemed unaware of the controversy. “We know Lebanon is divided, but RHIA must be beyond these divisions,” Makary asserted. During the visit, he also stated, “RHIA is public infrastructure for all Lebanese; it is the face of Lebanon, especially as we approach a promising summer.”
"Everything is Inspected and Recorded"
The tour began shortly after 10:30 a.m., with diplomatic personnel from several countries, including the European Union, Germany, India, Egypt, Pakistan, China, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Jordan, and others. The tour was somewhat disorganized, partly because journalists were not allowed to follow all the stages reserved for the ambassadors.
RHIA warehouses, June 24, 2024. (Credits: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
At the Customs Department, the head of the department told ambassadors and journalists that “everything entering Lebanon is inspected and recorded.”
“Everything is computerized, and there is a tracking system for everything,” he said. During a visit to the storage areas, he specified that the procedures applied for storage are “similar to those applied worldwide.”
In the hangar of Middle East Airlines, an employee speaking anonymously stated that “all goods arriving are cataloged according to the accompanying manifest, and any doubts result in scanning.”
“Nothing leaves the airport without passing through customs,” this source added.
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.