Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who noted upon leaving Ain al-Tineh that "the meeting discussed the points he will address at the Arab summit." On Wednesday, Berri also received Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamie, who affirmed that "at no time or place can any square meter of the port be sold, but rather optimal investment in service of and for the benefit of the Port of Beirut." Berri emphasized the necessity of conducting a comprehensive survey of the Lebanese coastline from Ras al-Naqoura to Al-Arida, stating it is a national need.
After the meeting, Hamie commented, "Regarding the Port of Beirut, I explained to President Berri all the details concerning the reconstruction plan for the port. Thus, Berri confirmed the necessity of fully investing every square meter of the Port of Beirut regarding transportation and maritime ports, and it is not permissible at any time or place to sell any square meter of the port, but rather for optimal investment in service of and for the benefit of the Port of Beirut."
He added, "We briefed President Berri on transit services, successive meetings with the Iraqi Ministry of Transport, the efforts of the Lebanese Embassy in Baghdad, and the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut. We are now in a position with the transit system adopted in Iraq, which allows us to transit to Saudi Arabia and through the crossings to Kuwait and Iran. This, of course, allows Lebanon to regain its vitality through existing corridors worldwide."
Regarding maritime property, Hamie pointed out that "the ultimate goal is to increase the revenues of the Lebanese state through investment in its properties, especially public maritime properties that had been part of presidential and electoral statements." He indicated that this would help "cover the deficit in state budgets and the public treasury without imposing taxes on people’s pockets, but rather to increase healthcare services, schools, and salaries."
A comprehensive survey of the entire Lebanese coastline is set to begin next week, with plans to contract a party for this task. Hamie stressed that this topic is a national necessity to conduct a complete survey of the coastline from Ras al-Naqoura to Al-Arida, given that the rate of violations along the coast has increased and the state is not benefiting from these properties. He noted that the last survey conducted by the Lebanese army was in 1996, and as we are now in 2023, it has been 27 years since the Lebanese state conducted any survey, hence it is essential for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to rely on data from 1996.
Regarding oil and gas, Hamie emphasized that "the ministry is a key partner with the Ministry of Energy regarding allowing helicopters to deliver platforms and reach them." He also mentioned his recent meeting with the General Director of Total, saying, "He informed me that the official start of drilling will be at the beginning of September, and they need 60 to 70 days to determine if there is gas or not." In the afternoon, President Berri received lawyer Joseph Abou Fadel.
