Title: Agriculture Minister Requests Assistance in Curbing Smuggling Operations

Lebanon's caretaker Agriculture Minister Abbas al-Haj Hassan has called on "the leadership of the Lebanese Army, security forces, and customs to assist in controlling smuggling operations," amid the ongoing influx of agricultural products such as citrus, olives, and olive oil entering Lebanon through illegal means, particularly with the onset of local production. This situation is causing significant losses for Lebanese farmers and harming the agricultural sector. In a statement, he praised "the efforts of various agencies on different fronts," urging a "collaboration to reduce smuggling operations out of compassion for the Lebanese farmer," especially following the disaster that struck the olive sector due to the bombing with internationally banned phosphorus bombs and the deliberate burning of large numbers of olive trees. The ministry also stated in its announcement that it "prohibits the import of olives and olive oil throughout the year."