American Ambassador Michel Issa, during a tour of the Port of Beirut, on Jan. 15, 2025. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — American ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa said Thursday he was "proud" of the progress being made at the Beirut Port following a tour of the loading and unloading zone, comparing what he saw there to the infrastructure in the U.S.
"I did not expect to see such technology today; I felt like I'm living in America. We will try to provide help here based on needs," he said following the tour.
Nearly 100,000 standard containers passed through the Beirut Port in July 2025, a record since 2019, the last year the Port operated at full capacity before the economic crisis and the devastating Aug. 4 Beirut Port explosion.
Issa praised the installation of new scanners at the Port, stating they "could speed up" operations, improve Port performance, and enhance its international standing.
"I am proud to be here," he added, before congratulating Public Works Minister Fayez Rasamny. The ambassador congratulated the Port's new administration and staff for setting an example of remarkable performance, assuring that his country would support the Port "in every possible way."
Asked about the conditions for possible American support, Issa clarified that no conditions were being imposed, while underscoring that the Port must remain under state authority and its revenues must return to the state Treasury.
Foreign financial support for Lebanon has generally been hinged on the government's successful disarmament of Hezbollah, a complicated process that is currently underway.
He insisted that United States support for Lebanon had never wavered, and his visit aimed to observe the progress and ongoing developments.
Issa also indicated he wished to visit several other sites of Lebanese infrastructure to assess prospects for assistance, whether for the Lebanese Army or other sectors serving national interests.
The Beirut Port appointed a new director, Marwan al-Nafi, at the end of 2025.
He succeeded Omar Itani, who had served since 2021, one year after the twin explosion on Aug. 4, 2020, which devastated the Port and the capital's nearby neighborhoods, killing more than 220 people.
Container terminal management has been handled by the French group CMA CGM since 2022.
