Gas Centers to Reopen after Stepping Up Security Measures

The two centers of filling gas canisters in Beirut's southern suburbs will reopen after taking all the necessary security measures, al-Liwaa newspaper reported on Friday.

According to the newspaper, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq will receive on Friday a security report concerning the precautionary measures that should be implemented at the two gas centers.

The measures will include the construction of isolation walls to protect gas tankers from any sabotage operations by terrorists.

Ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri held contacts recently with high-ranking officials to address the the controversial decision enforced by Mashnouq to shut down the two centers and resolve the repercussions caused by the shutting down of the two companies.

Mashnouq's decision to “temporary shut down” the two companies, one in Bir Hassan and the other in Ouzai, was compelled by information obtained by security forces that they could be the target of a terrorist attack.

Mashnouq visited on Monday the centers to oversee the temporary shut down.

The workers blocked the Ouzai highway with burning tires for the last two days to protest Mashnouq's endeavor, arguing that they have no other means of living.

Lebanon witnessed a string of of bomb attacks in recent months targeting mainly strongholds of Hizbullah, which has drawn the ire of Sunni extremist groups in part because of its role fighting alongside the regime in Syria.