After al-Arabiya's Hezbollah statements, Rassamny unveils Beirut port 'security plan'

BEIRUT - After information published on Saudi television channel Al-Arabiya two days ago claiming that Hezbollah had used the port to smuggle weapons and funds into Lebanon. Public Works and Transportation Minister, Fayez Rassamny, announced Thursday a security plan for the port of Beirut, assuring that the port is closely monitored by the Lebanese Army and customs.

Hezbollah formally denied these claims on Thursday, through a representative MP, Hassan Fadlallah.

Strengthening security at the port notably includes the installation of advanced inspection devices similar to those used at the Beirut airport. "The establishment of a special security service for the port in coordination with relevant authorities, as well as the study of a new legal framework to modernize port management," detailed Fayez Rassamny.

The Hezbollah MP specified that he "will personally follow the implementation of this plan." "Security at the Beirut port is closely monitored by the Lebanese Army, its intelligence services, and customs, within the framework of ongoing coordination between the relevant authorities," the minister assured to al-Arabiya in the aftermath of a port visit.

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Discussing the division of responsibilities at the Beirut port, Rassamny explained that 'security control at the entry of containers is under customs' competence. Followed by additional inspections carried out by the army's intelligence services. The port administration's role is limited to operational and logistical supervision.'

'Dangerous and surprising' allegations

On Tuesday evening, the channel al-Arabiya known for its closeness to the Saudi power claimed that units of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force were sending "weapons, equipment, and funds' to Hezbollah via the capital's port, under the supervision of Wafic Safa," the head of Hezbollah’s liaison unit, "without any authority conducting inspections or supervising these activities.'"

This information also aired on the Israeli channel i24 News on Tuesday evening by the Israeli army spokesperson for international media, Colonel Olivier Rafowicz, as well as on the X account of Lebanese researcher and Hezbollah critic Hanin Ghaddar, based in the U.S., who expressed alarm at the "risk of an Israeli strike on the Beirut port."

The minister described these allegations as "dangerous and surprising," expressing surprise at their timing, "at this precise moment."

Thursday morning, Hezbollah MP Fadlallah after denying the allegations lamented "some strive to undermine the foundations of Lebanon, a country of diversity and partnership, and do not hesitate to attack state institutions," inviting authorities to stop Israeli aggression and to comply with the ministerial declaration.

"Some want to plunge the country into chaos and respond to the enemy's demands by depriving Lebanon of its capabilities," he denounced, estimating that this intention is linked to 'an order coming from abroad, and is not in the national interest. "'The people behind these campaigns do not learn from past experiences," he regretted, in a probable hint to the Lebanese Forces and parties insisting on Hezbollah's disarmament.

There are no 'sources' at Hezbollah

Hezbollah's press office described Thursday as "false and unfounded" media information attributed to Hezbollah sources or officials, inviting media to contact them for necessary information. "Recently, some media have circulated information attributed to sources or officials of Hezbollah or officials. These allegations are totally false," the press office highlighted in a statement. "There are no sources at Hezbollah and Hezbollah's positions are exclusively published through official statements or its officials in Hezbollah media, on official and party websites," the statement added.

Besides information concerning the Beirut port, a "Hezbollah source" had recently confided to the Reuters agency that the party was ready to negotiate with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on its disarmament. This information has not been formally denied by Hezbollah.