Beirut: Interior and Municipalities Minister, Brig. Gen. Ahmad Hajjar, on Wednesday conducted an inspection visit to the Beirut Municipality's Finance Department earlier today, accompanied by Mount Lebanon Governor Judge Mohammad Makkaoui, who is temporarily substituting for Beirut Governor Judge Marwan Abboud. Minister Hajjar met with officials from the expenditure division, where a team from the Court of Audit is reviewing documents following reports of an unauthorized disbursement of public funds.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the Minister confirmed that 'a municipal employee made a payment without any legal basis,' adding that he had immediately referred the case to the Court of Audit and the Public Prosecutor to determine whether criminal violations had occurred. Hajjar pledged 'full support for auditors to uncover all irregularities and hold those responsible accountable,' stressing that 'no one is above the law' and that Beirut Municipality 'must stand as a model of transparency and integrity.'