Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamieh, has announced plans to file a lawsuit against the British newspaper, The Telegraph, following its report alleging that Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport is being used by Hezbollah to store Iranian weapons.
During a press conference held at the airport, Hamieh vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as “ridiculous” and emphasizing the report’s damaging effect on the reputation of Lebanon’s main international airport. The claims in The Telegraph were based on unnamed sources, which Hamieh dismissed as baseless.
To counter the allegations, Hamieh has invited ambassadors and media representatives to participate in a field tour of all airport facilities, scheduled for tomorrow morning. This tour aims to demonstrate the transparency and robust security measures in place at the airport. “Weapons are never smuggled through Rafik Hariri International Airport, and everything written in the Telegraph about this is not true,” he stated.
Hamieh highlighted the role of the Lebanese customs authorities in safeguarding the airport and ensuring no illegal activities occur. He asserted, “We will file a lawsuit against the newspaper because the statement issued by it defames the reputation of Rafik Hariri Airport without any legal basis. Lebanese customs represents the Lebanese state in protecting Hariri International Airport and cannot be questioned.”
This controversy arises amidst heightened regional tensions and concerns over Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon. The accusations made by The Telegraph have added strain to the already tense political climate, prompting swift action from Lebanese officials to defend the nation’s infrastructure.
The planned lawsuit seeks to challenge the credibility of The Telegraph’s allegations and hold the publication accountable for what Lebanese authorities consider unfounded and damaging claims. The tour of the airport facilities will provide media and diplomatic representatives with the opportunity to observe operations firsthand and verify the absence of any illicit activities.
Lebanon’s government continues to assert its commitment to maintaining the security and integrity of its international transportation hubs, aiming to dispel any doubts raised by the recent report and reassure the international community of the airport’s secure operations.