Zoaiter Reassures on Airport Security as Army Frees 2 Workers Cleared of Terror Charges

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

The army announced Monday that two Beirut airport workers held on suspicion of terrorism have been freed after being cleared of the charges.

“They were interrogated under the supervision of the relevant judicial authorities and eventually released after it was verified that they had no ties to any terrorist activities or groups,” the Army Command said in a statement.

On Sunday, state-run National News Agency said the Airport Security Apparatus had arrested two Lebanese airport employees on charges of “communicating with terrorist groups.” The two employees were apprehended “two days ago,” NNA said.

Media reports said the two workers are employed by the Middle East Airports Services SAL company (MEAS), a subsidiary of Lebanon's national carrier Middle East Airlines.

Unconfirmed media reports said one of them had managed to smuggle a weapon to the airport and that it was discovered in “his drawer.”

In remarks published Monday, Public Works and Transport Minister Ghazi Zoaiter said the arrest of the two employees shows that the security situation at the Rafik Hariri International Airport is not a source of concern.

“The apprehension of the two workers at the airport proves that the security situation at the facility is not worrisome,” said Zoaiter.

The security situation is “under control,” he told As Safir newspaper although he admitted that the airport needs more equipment and improvements.

Zoaiter stressed the importance of providing the needed funds to build a fence for the airport and improve the luggage transport system.

The issue was not discussed at the cabinet session last week after Christian ministers insisted on resolving the controversy on State Security before discussing any other matter.

The ministers claim that the agency, which is headed by a Catholic, is being intentionally marginalized.

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq has recently vowed that he will exert efforts to address “security gaps” at the airport, hours after suicide bombers killed more than 30 people and wounded over 200 at Brussels airport and a Belgian metro train.

Citing “Western reports,” the minister warned that the said gaps “might be equivalent to those that were present at the Sharm el-Sheikh airport and led to the bombing of the Russian plane.”

G.K./Y.R.

Comments 6
Thumb ex-fpm 11 April 2016, 09:29

But Hezbollah's and Amal's control of the airport, immigration, customs and security is not worrisome.

Thumb lubnani.masi7i 11 April 2016, 10:12

Zoaiter: Airport Security under Hezbollah Control despite Arrest of Workers over Terror Links

Thumb EagleDawn 11 April 2016, 13:27

mtv: الافراج عن موظفي المطار سيتم خلال ساعات والتحقيقات لم تبين وجود متفجرات بحوزتهما او ان لديهما نية للقيام باعتداء.

But this how the free press of Lebanon invents earth shattering news.

Thumb EagleDawn 11 April 2016, 13:28

i meant free press of hezbollah and iran

Thumb justin 11 April 2016, 14:16

the story did not make sense when it first came out.

Thumb shab 11 April 2016, 20:52

looool