Minister of Agriculture in the caretaker government Abbas al-Hajj Hassan and head of the Tripoli and North Chamber, Tawfiq Debs, announced that "the tests conducted by the quality and food control laboratories in the chamber on samples of vegetables, fruits, and greens taken from all Lebanese regions returned negative results, indicating no harm in consumption. They thus meet the specifications and are free of cholera bacteria and all pollutants, ensuring national food safety and the health of citizens." This announcement came during a visit by the Minister of Agriculture to the Tripoli Chamber, where he was received by its president, Tawfiq Debs, in the presence of representative of MP Taha Najji, Dr. Muhammad Najji, heads of the agricultural services in Tripoli and Akkar, Sonia Al-Abed and Taha Mustafa, former MP Jamal Ismail, advisor Maqbal Malik, director of the chamber's laboratories Dr. Khaled Al-Amri, and several farmers.
Debs pointed out that the meeting with the Minister of Agriculture is a "national day par excellence on the humanitarian, economic, social, and health levels, on the eve of Lebanon's Independence Day." He stated: "We, from Greater Tripoli and its chamber, in collaboration with the government represented by Dr. Abbas al-Hajj Hassan, announce to the Lebanese that cooperation between the Tripoli Chamber and the Ministry of Agriculture is ongoing. I confirmed to His Excellency that we are prepared to conduct the necessary laboratory tests for vegetables and fruits not only at the Lebanese level but also at the Arab level to maintain human health and provide a noble and loving image on both Lebanese and Arab levels."
For his part, al-Hajj Hassan greeted the Lebanese on Independence Day, saying: "My presence in the Tripoli Chamber is for a central reason regarding following up on cholera, which is not an epidemic at all. We are here in a true partnership with the private sector and with the chambers of commerce, which form half of the public administrative fabric. There was a request to President Debs to conduct the necessary laboratory tests on fruits and vegetables, and our appeals in the Akkar and northern regions have been met, especially after a meeting held with the Prime Minister in the presence of relevant ministers, particularly the Minister of Health, who informed us of cases in Akkar and other northern areas. So, we took the initiative as the Ministry of Agriculture and collected samples, with Debs instructing the relevant agencies in the chamber's quality control laboratories to conduct the required tests. The results are in front of me, and I can confirm with national responsibility and before God that all samples, covering various types of vegetables, fruits, and greens, returned negative results with no harm in consumption. They are therefore compliant with specifications, free of cholera bacteria and all pollutants, suitable for use, and ensuring national food security and the health safety of citizens. Hence, we see no need for any type of media exaggeration."
He added: "In the Tripoli Chamber, in collaboration with the Industrial Research Institute, we conducted similar results in Shweifat and other areas, and the results were also negative. We request President Debs's assistance, who has never hesitated to confirm his support for us and with us, in a constant and kind response, as well as from the heads of the Lebanese chambers who stand with us and assist us." He concluded: "We no longer have specifically deprived areas; the Lebanese state is present in all Lebanese regions, especially since deprivation is no longer limited to specific areas. Thanks to President Debs, who embodies determination, will, and continuous vitality."
