Progress has been made over meeting EU security standards and Beirut Airport features not on IATA’s blacklist, Lebanon’s minister of Public Works Ghazi Zaaiter, disclosed at a press conference at the airport today.

Progress has been made over meeting EU security standards and Beirut Airport features not on IATA's blacklist, Lebanon's minister of Public Works Ghazi Zaaiter, disclosed at a press conference at the airport today.

Describing the progress made so far as being very substantial, the minister went on to say that all of IATA's security standards put forth for Lebanon have been met despite ominous gaps pertaining to upgrading of knowhow in certain areas; Also referring to updating of certain aviation legislation, the minister cited a number of ministerial decisions made during the last year for the purpose of upgrading various airport ground services including the reorganization of the number of departures and arrivals in line with available airport capacities.

Acknowledging the existence of financial snags in the construction of an airport perimeter wall, the minister added that part of Saudi donations have been earmarked for the amelioration security conditions at the airport.

Purchasing a safety simulator would surely help avert the placement of Beirut airport on IATA blacklist for, a substantial beefed up police presence has been achieved thanks to inter-ministerial cooperation, he said. As an integral part of Nabih Berri's team, we work for the benefit of all and Lebanon hired a lawyer to plead in our interest with regards to the Imperial Jet case, he concluded.