Minister of Public Works and Transport in the caretaker government, Ali Hamieh, indicated that "the ambassadors who visited the airport were briefed on the working mechanisms in place, particularly regarding transportation and export operations adhering to all international standards." In a press conference from the VIP lounge at the airport at the end of a field tour, he stated: "The ambassadors visited the 'airport wall' to review all the security measures taken there," emphasizing that "the Telegraph report is a smear against Beirut Airport."
In response to a question from "Wardna" regarding the intent behind the misleading and false news being published, Hamieh said: "A psychological war is being waged against Lebanon through written articles, and the Telegraph report is a tarnishing of the airport's reputation. We will file a legal complaint against them, as they targeted Lebanon morally, not just the airport."
Hamieh announced that "he will file a legal complaint against them since they targeted Lebanon as a whole morally, not just the airport," pointing out that "the Israeli enemy violates Lebanese airspace and flies over Beirut International Airport, and these violations are ongoing."
Participants, including ministers, ambassadors, and media members, continued their field tour at the airport, having reached the cargo import hangar where journalists filmed the process of unloading goods.
Tourism Minister in the caretaker government, Walid Nassar, revealed that "in 2023, the number of arrivals to Israel exceeded 1.5 million people, and the recent war has caused Israel to lose this number. Therefore, Lebanon is expected to face the psychological war impacting the airport." He explained that "Lebanon needs two airports and should discuss activating Qlay'at Airport as soon as possible," noting that "Beirut Airport is the primary airport in Lebanon, while Qlay'at Airport is a complement to it and does not replace it."
Nassar confirmed that "airport activity is normal, but I reiterate the call to open Qlay'at Airport, and do not take this statement politically."
For his part, Minister of Information in the caretaker government, Ziad Makari, affirmed that "Beirut International Airport has not been affected by what was published by the British newspaper 'The Telegraph'." He revealed that "109 flights left Lebanon while more than 100 landed, thus the airport's operations have not been impacted despite the article."
Makari added: "It is prohibited to settle scores among Lebanese at the expense of Beirut Airport or any other facility."
Foreign Minister and Expatriates Minister in the caretaker government, Abdullah Bou Habib, participated in the tour, stating that "the airport is safe and that these rumors fall within Israel's attempts to justify its attacks on Lebanon."
