Khalil: Radioactive, Toxic Goods Seized at Ports
Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil revealed on Monday that the authorities have seized radioactive and poisonous material at Rafik Hariri International Airport and Beirut Port.
“Some of the materials have been imported from India. Traders don't have the right to buy cheap goods that harm citizens,” Khalil said during a press conference.
He called for returning the goods and said the companies importing such products, which include food, drugs, production equipment and cutlery, will be held accountable.
“Dangerous radioactivity stays for 85 years,” Khalil warned. “It is prohibited to turn Lebanon into a dump for poisonous and radioactive waste.”
He also denied that certain people had the backing of politicians at the airport and Beirut Port.
“There is no political support to any broker or forwarding agent,” he said.
Khalil vowed to follow up the issue with the involved ministers and the judiciary.
He said he procrastinated in announcing such a scandal that poses a danger to the people's health pending the results of tests carried out on the goods.
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