Lebanon has opened its airspace and ports to accommodate emergency humanitarian aid destined for the neighboring Syrian Arab Republic, as reported by TASS.
Acting Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh stated that the economic sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union on Damascus are currently in effect, and many countries are refraining from direct contact with Syrian officials.
Hamieh noted that, by government directive, shipping companies transporting goods and equipment to Syria are exempt from taxes at Lebanese ports. Similar relief measures apply to air travel through Beirut International Airport.
“This is the least we can do for the brotherly Syrian people during this testing period,” the official declared. A cadre of Lebanese rescuers from the Civil Defense Service, an army engineering unit, and volunteers from the Lebanese Red Cross Society have already been deployed to Aleppo and Latakia. Additional support will be provided by Lebanese private charities joining the mission.
As part of a government delegation, Hamieh will travel to Damascus to participate in emergency relief negotiations. The delegation will also include acting officials, along with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Bou Habib, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Abbas al-Haj Hassan, the Chairman of the Emergency Situations Committee General Mohammed Khair, Hector Hajjar, Minister of Social Affairs, and Joseph Helu, Head of the Ministry of Health’s Department.
Earlier, on February 6, a 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck the region, affecting Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey and triggering a multi-national relief response.
Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi reported no fatalities or injuries within Lebanon, while noting significant structural damage, particularly in Tire, where residents of a family home were evacuated. The region also reported extensive damage to portions of the highway network.