Evacuation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Building Due to Structural Concerns

Minister of Youth and Sports George Klas requested employees to evacuate the ministry building located on Sami Al-Solh Street in Beirut on Wednesday, following reports of cracks and unusual noises from some walls. Klas informed Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the Chairman of the Higher Relief Committee, Major General Mohamed Khair, and communicated with Minister of Public Works Ali Hamieh and Engineers' Syndicate President Fadi Hanna, leading to the dispatch of an engineering delegation from both sides. It was decided to prohibit any employee or citizen from entering the building while awaiting the civil defense team to clear the warehouse of water, after communicating with Brigadier General Raymond Khattar. An assessment will be conducted afterward to make a final decision, and the electricity supply to the building has been disconnected.