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Beirut opens sanitary air cargo centre for food from Mideast Airlines

FOOD imported and exported by air from Lebanon is to be very carefully inspected and handled at Middle East Airlines' new US$25 million cargo centre to "ensure there is serious work [done to protect] people's health and their right to excellent health," Agriculture Minister Akram Chehayeb said, following an inspection of the new facility.

MEA's ground handling general manager Richard Mujais stressed the importance of meeting international standards and having modern equipment and technology to help Lebanon keep up with the rest of the world in the wake of criticism over rotting food at the airport.

Mr Chehayeb expressed hope during the tour that the new facility in Beirut would serve as a model that can be expanded to other institutions in the country. "Today we are [seeing] a civilised model in a country that is suffering," he said, reported Beirut's Daily Star.

The cargo centre near the airport is designed to speed up the inspection of goods, and is equipped to handle all types and sizes of cargo. It has the space to store up to 165,000 tons of air freight, compared to the old building's 65,000-ton capacity.

Health Minister Wael Abu Faour also praised the work that has been done at the new air cargo hub. He recalled an earlier visit to the airport's 50-year-old refrigerated warehouses with Public Works Minister Ghazi Zeaiter.

"We remember the disgusting scenes and rotten smells ... the scene was pushing many Lebanese to abandon their faith in this country."

As part of a nationwide crackdown on facilities that did not meet health standards, Mr Abu Faour ordered the closure of food and medicine storage warehouses at Beirut's airport in December, citing unsanitary conditions and expired items discovered during inspection.