BEIRUT: Transport and Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi said on Tuesday that illegal land reclamation on government properties along the coast is still taking place. Speaking to reporters, the minister showed the media photos and video clips of violations that are taking place on the coast of Jbeil.
“These violations can never be the right way for promoting tourism in the country,” he said.
Aridi believes that violating the government’s properties is against the values of Lebanese society as a whole and that it only serves a specific social class.
He said that these properties are being given to people in return for a high rental fee and only people with high incomes can afford to make use of them.
Aridi also criticized those who feel at ease in engaging in these practices because of their political affiliation, adding that he does not care about anyone’s connections or ties with any political party and that this issue should be dealt with in a fair manner and in the interest of the Lebanese people.
“It is not acceptable to encroach into government properties under the pretext of serving the tourism sector in Lebanon, especially since tourists have been complaining about the expensive services in the country,” Aridi said.
“I am not talking about the violations of the government maritime properties which took place years ago but also about new ones,” he said. He added that previous violations do not give anyone the right to commit more violations without permission from the concerned ministries. “If new violations take place then there is no need for the presence of ministries in the first place.”
Aridi stressed that he would follow up on this issue until he hands over his ministry without consideration of the intervention of any political party. He asked security forces to implement the decisions issued by the ministry.
Wednesday, July 15,2009