Lebanon opens Airspace, Ports for Aid to Quake-Hit Syria

Lebanon is opening its airspace and seaports for emergency aid deliveries to Syria over the earthquake, Lebanese Acting Minister Of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh has told reporters.

The decision was made with regard to economic sanctions, imposed on the Damascus government by the United States and the European Union. As a result, many countries and organizations are refraining from direct contacts with the Syrian authorities.

"On the government’s order, all maritime transportation companies carrying cargo and equipment for Syria are exempt from port duties in Lebanese ports," Hamieh said on Tuesday night.

The same rule will apply to air carriers using Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport to transport their cargo.

"This is the least we can do for the brotherly nation of Syria in the hour of need," the official added.

The Acting Minister announced that a group of Lebanese rescuers from the General Directorate of Lebanese Civil Defense, a group of Lebanese military engineers, volunteers from the Lebanese Red Cross Society and private charitable institutions, had already gone to the stricken area. nation.

Hamieh will head to Damascus on Wednesday as part of a government delegation to discuss emergency aid for Syria.

An-Nahar newspaper reported that the delegation will also include Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib, Acting Minister of Agriculture Abbas Hajj Hassan, Acting Minister of Social Affairs Hector Hajjar and other senior officials.

Earthquakes of magnitude 4.9 were recorded in Lebanon on Monday. Although no deaths or injuries were reported, several buildings and roads were damaged.