Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati meeting with caretaker Interior and Municipalities Minister Bassam Maoulaoui and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army on his right, and the caretaker Public Works and Transport Minister, Ali Hamieh. (Credit: Grand Serail)
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has chaired a high-level meeting at the Grand Serail to address security concerns at Beirut airport, following a series of Israeli strikes targeted areas close to the airport, in Beirut's southern suburbs.
Attending the talks were caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, caretaker Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamieh, and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, according to a statement from Mikati's office.
"We focused on enhancing airport security," Mawlawi said after the meeting. "We will issue strict instructions to the airport security service, its leadership and all personnel to ensure they are fully prepared to conduct thorough searches and prevent any security breaches. Our priority is safeguarding the airport's reputation and keeping all risks at bay. All necessary authorizations regarding airport operations and air traffic are issued in accordance with the law, under army oversight, and inspections will be intensified."
Hamieh stressed that the Public Works and Transport Ministry does not approve any aircraft landing without prior authorization from the army, which is granted through an official request from the army's air force command and forwarded to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. He also emphasized that similar strict security measures are in place at Lebanese ports and land border crossings.
Following the main meeting, Mikati held separate talks with General Aoun to discuss broader security and military developments, according to the statement.
Caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makari was also present at the meeting.
The urgency of the discussions has grown as recent Israeli airstrikes have targeted areas close to Beirut airport, Lebanon’s primary international gateway. Middle East Airlines is the only carrier still operating regular flights amid the deteriorating security situation, which worsened following Israel’s intensified bombardments. The airport has also been receiving humanitarian aid flights, as well as planes chartered by foreign governments evacuating their nationals.
Since September 23., Israeli strikes have expanded beyond southern Lebanon, where daily exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel have previously occurred since October 8. The strikes now include several areas with large Shiite populations, including the southern suburbs of Beirut near the airport. Last week, Israel destroyed a road linking Lebanon to Syria, claiming it was targeting a "Hezbollah tunnel."
