Abboud Slams ‘Rampant’ Corruption at Airport, Vows Strong Measures against New Year Violators
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud slammed on Sunday what he called the rampant corruption at Beirut airport, saying the authorities had no intention to resolve the problem.
In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio station (93.3), Abboud said: Mafias are controlling the airport, from taxi drivers to the customs all the way to porters.”
“There is rampant corruption in Lebanon in all its sectors and there is no intention to resolve it,” he said.
Abboud stressed however that corruption at the tourism ministry was eradicated due his personal efforts.
Asked about New Year’s Eve, he said that the ministry is in full alert in coordination with the involved parties to control any violation.
He warned of tough measures against restaurants and nightclubs serving alcohol to minors or against those who change prices during New Year celebrations.
“Tourism police will deploy in strength to end violations and cheating so that the tourist could feel safe,” Abboud told VDL.
He reiterated that owners of restaurants and hotels should set the prices of food and drinks ahead of New Year to avoid any problems that could arise with their customers.
18 December 2011, 09:40
09
Yes, indeed the airport is run by a mafia.... Guess whose mafia, Mr. Minister? I bet you you need Berri's "Wasta" to even become a porter at the airport. What about MEA airlines....? Corruption is not done by your normal average citizen, but rather by those who have power. Power corrupts, minister!
18 December 2011, 09:48
13
This what will happen when the terrorists become in charge like hezboshaitan and Aoun
18 December 2011, 10:22
71
and you should back him in this crusade against corruption. then if by 2013 he fails to do anything about it, feel free to vote him out but dont block his efforts while he's trying. if M14 blocks this minister's efforts to eradicate corruption for the airport in particular, this means not just berri is comfortable with the current state of things but also M14 deputies who have a lot to gain from a corrupt MEA.
18 December 2011, 16:58
05
smelly_demon does remember that the last time someone attempted to rein in the corruption at the airport his smelly_saints almost caused a civil war. Alas the demon is not only smelly but he's also stupid.
18 December 2011, 17:15
03
Want to get rid of corruption in government? Privatization is the answer. EDL, MEA, Telecomm. Imagine how much money it will save the gov't and in the process remove corruption. But we all know why they don't want to privatize, don't we.
19 December 2011, 04:14
01
Say the name of the "mafia" Abboud. We all know the name of this "group". The main thing here is that there seems to be a splitting the the happy M8 alliance. Will Aoun pull out of the gov't? That is a difficult call.
The whole country is waiting for the day in the future when the UN or somebody oversees the airport instead of the current criminal mafia, oh I mean "resistance".
