BEIRUT — Speaking during Friday's launch event at Beirut's airport for electronic passport control gates, Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny insisted on the importance of transparency within government administration, stating that now "there is no room for errors."

Rasamny thanked the security agencies working in the airport for their efforts "in the absence of all the technologies that all the airports in the world have." "Technology usually helps ensure there are no security breaches because any security breach sets us back. But for now, we can only rely on ourselves and human resources," the Minister said.

Transparency and reforms

In this situation, the international community places the utmost importance on reforms, and the Ministry's priority is to ensure safety, not only at the airport but also at the ports and the Masnaa border crossing point.

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Rasamny calls for 'emergency budget' for road rehabilitation

In facing this situation, and thanks to the implementation of the project that will allow the installation of gates, Rassamny promised "more transparency in all state administrations and ministries." "Embarking on transparency and reforms is the most important step forward that we can take. Subsequently, everything will follow," he added. "This allows the people to see that the state is progressing and is being accountable," he emphasized, affirming that this was notably the case after images of flooded roads on Wednesday, followed with an investigation by the Central Inspection. "There is nothing hidden anymore, the state has returned in force and there will be no room for error," he declared.

Rafik-Hariri International Airport has long been criticized for Hezbollah's influence over some of its departments, particularly in terms of security, and the resulting security and political tensions. This control by the party and its allies has notably sparked fears of Israeli strikes, before and during the war between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israel accusing the party of transiting weapons and funds via the airport. However, as the conflict weakened Hezbollah and its influence in Lebanon, its control over the airport has reportedly also diminished. In this context, the Lebanese authorities want to assert their return in terms of its management. The government has notably suspended air links with Iran amid new Israeli threats, and visits from Iranian delegations have been subjected to thorough inspections, much to the party militia's dismay. Last weekend, three ministers, including Rassamny, toured the BIA in a move perceived as having political significance.