Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq ordered on Saturday the closure of the gas distribution stations in the Bir Hassan area in Beirut after investigations with detained extremists revealed that the spot could be a target of a terroris

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq ordered on Saturday the closure of the gas distribution stations in the Bir Hassan area in Beirut after investigations with detained extremists revealed that the spot could be a target of a terrorist attack, the state-run National News Agency said.

The ministry issued a statement saying that investigations with some extremist detainees revealed that two gas stations in the area could be targeted by suicide-bombers.

Immediately, al-Mashnouq instructed the stations' closure starting Monday the 3rd of March, until the whole stock is emptied.

“Our measures come in the framework of the residents' safety until we are capable to provide better security measures to control such acts,” said al-Mashnouq.

The statement pointed out that the gas stations in the Choueifat and Dora (in Beirut's southern and northern suburbs respectively) will supply the material for the areas of Beirut and of the Dahieh neighborhood.