Lebanese Ministerial Committee Formed to Address Repercussions of Drug Smuggling to Saudi Arabia

Arab World

June 8th, 5:57am

Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat

The committee meets on Monday. (NNA)

Lebanon formed a ministerial committee to follow up on the measures and recommendations to address the ban of the import of Lebanese agricultural products to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, especially Saudi Arabia, after several drug smuggling operations were busted. The committee will be headed by caretaker Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmy. Acting Foreign Minister Zeina Akar discussed with the ministers of interior, finance, agriculture and industry and the parliamentary economic committee a set of quick and radical measures that will be taken in the short and medium terms. The participants agreed to form a ministerial committee and to establish a risk department in the Lebanese Customs Directorate, in addition to restricting the export crossings to the GCC to the port of Beirut. The meeting also decided to expedite the purchase and installation of a scanner at Beirut Port as soon as possible, and to activate the coordination of information programs between Lebanese customs and the relevant authorities in the GCC. A decision was also taken to secure an area in the port of Beirut to unload and repack goods under the supervision of the security forces and the General Directorate of Customs, in addition to installing 24-hour surveillance cameras and cooperating with international specialized companies to monitor and keep pace with the packing from the source. In addition to the security and field measures, the Lebanese concerned authorities are proceeding with a plan to strengthen relations with Arab and Gulf countries, including the signing of a memorandum of cooperation and coordination between the Lebanese and Saudi customs, maintaining continuous communication, and carrying out judicial cooperation to work on completing investigations into smuggling cases.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3015466/lebanese-ministerial-committee-formed-address-repercussions-drug-smuggling