Caretaker Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, during a press conference, Aug. 7, 2023. (Credit: Photo archive/Houssam Chbaro/Annahar)
BEIRUT — Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi highlighted that "the ministry, in collaboration with the Internal Security Forces, the army and the Education and Higher Education Ministry, will work to evacuate private schools in Beirut to allow students to return as soon as possible, after alternative accommodations are arranged for the displaced people currently staying in these schools, either at the Sports City complex being prepared for them or other designated centers."
Mawlawi expressed his "deep understanding of the security concerns among Beirut residents, especially regarding displaced people occupying buildings, residential apartments and private schools without the owners' consent," on Saturday.
During a meeting at the "We Are All Beirut" coalition headquarters on the waterfront, he noted that "this issue is being swiftly addressed and has been discussed in Cabinet and Central Security Council meetings, with judicial orders issued to evacuate these homes and buildings as soon as alternative housing is provided for the occupants."
Addressing traffic and motorcycle issues, Mawlawi assured that "the Ministry has devised a plan to be implemented starting Monday morning to tackle the problem of violating motorcycles as well as cars and vehicles, putting an end to the unacceptable double parking in streets and neighborhoods that causes severe traffic congestion." He emphasized that "traffic conditions will gradually return to normal starting Monday."
In October, security forces began evacuating tents set up by displaced persons in Ain al-Mraisseh, who had come from southern Lebanon or Beirut's southern suburbs following the Israeli military escalation in these areas, which began on Sept. 23.