The caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, met this morning with the Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh at the Grand Serail, in the presence of the Chairman of the Council for Development and Reconstruction, Nabil el-Jisr. After the meeting, Hamieh stated: "We discussed several topics related to the Ministry of Public Works, and I informed him of our participation in the United Nations meetings that were held in Geneva and the points that were discussed."
He added: "During the meeting, we presented the old-new project, which is the Beirut-Bekaa road 'Dahr al-Baidar Tunnel'. This is a vital and essential project. Despite the ministerial decisions that have been made and the laws issued by the Parliament, no scientific or technical feasibility studies have been conducted to enable the state to determine the cost of this project, considering its vital and strategic extension for the Lebanese ports, given Lebanon's position on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean and its access to the Arab world. We agreed with Prime Minister Mikati to discuss the subject in today's Cabinet session due to its significance on all levels."
He remarked: "Regarding the roads and international highways, there is the Shka highway and some parts of the southern road, and Dahr al-Baidar will be a priority for the Ministry of Public Works concerning maintenance, despite the limited budgets; however, safety of citizens is the priority."
The Prime Minister subsequently received the following MPs: Ahmad al-Khair, Ghada Ayoub, and Ni'mat Afram. He also welcomed the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Middle East Airlines, Mohammad al-Hout, and then the Governor of Mount Lebanon, Judge Mohammad Makawi.
