Khaberni - The issues that accompanied Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Shaibani's visit to Beirut did not conclude smoothly inside Rafik Hariri International Airport, where the incident was capped off by his security personnel assaulting a member of the internal security forces amid chaos that reminded travelers of the previous Syrian dominance over the airport.
After the gun-display incident caused by the Syrian entourage upon Minister Shaibani's arrival, which was confronted by the airport security apparatus, tension resurfaced during the minister's departure from Beirut. His entourage refused to allow the internal security checkpoint officers to scan their bags, and when asked to sign a liability waiver in case of an incident caused by the contents of the bags, they refused and proceeded to push a security officer from his position, in what was considered a direct assault.
Subsequently, members of the airport security apparatus intervened to contain the situation, amid urgent ministerial and security communications, while the Syrian entourage formed a security cordon around the minister, creating an atmosphere of intimidation and tension inside the hall.
Sources mentioned that Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji engaged in communications with the leadership of the internal security forces and the airport security apparatus, where he relayed the Syrian side's commitment to take responsibility for the bags without subjecting them to inspection, thereafter allowing the Syrian delegation to depart.
Thus, the chapter of the visit was closed amidst a significant security problem, raising questions about the respect for Lebanese sovereignty and the enforcement of laws at Rafik Hariri International Airport.
