The Governor of North Lebanon, Judge Ramzi Nahra, issued a letter requesting the Commander of the Northern Regional Gendarmerie, Brigadier General Mustafa Badran, to suppress the phenomenon of girls standing on the sides of the international highway extending from the Batroun area to the Chekka area, with the aim of prostitution and promoting it, as well as engaging in acts contrary to public decency. The letter stated: "Recently, the phenomenon of girls standing on the sides of the international highway extending from the Batroun area to the Chekka area has intensified, most of whom are undocumented and of non-Lebanese nationalities, and some of them are minors, aimed at prostitution and promoting it while engaging in acts contrary to public decency."
He added: "Some media outlets have addressed this issue," pointing out that "these acts of prostitution take place in tents and kiosks spread near the highway or within the adjacent forests. Given that the continuation of these activities causes harm to public safety, health, the comfort of citizens, and traffic safety on the highway, and to preserve the comfort, safety, and security of citizens, especially those living near these areas... therefore, I urge the necessary investigations and inquiries to suppress this phenomenon and identify the girls involved and their employers and bring them to justice for crimes of prostitution, facilitating it, and human trafficking, while maintaining surveillance of these areas to prevent the recurrence of such acts."
