Beirut: Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, said that the country faces "multiple and complex challenges" after years of administrative vacancies, weak governance in public institutions, and the placement of unqualified individuals in key state positions. Speaking on Tele Liban's "Hiwarat el Saray" (Grand Serail Talks) with Nada Saliba, Rasamny stressed that meaningful reform hinges on opening space for new competencies and ideas.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Rasamny further explained that recent appointments across ministry-affiliated bodies were "necessary and decisive," noting that progress in the public sector is inherently more difficult than in the private sector due to rigid bureaucracy that delays execution and procurement. Moreover, Rasamny said his tenure has reinforced the need for patience and persistence, adding that the most significant achievement across government has been halting the collapse and initiating a shift toward transparent, professional governance.
"Placing the right person in the right position is foundational to everything we aim to achieve," he said, expressing confidence that the results of recent appointments will become increasingly evident. On airport security, the Minister said decisive leadership and the will to correct course are essential to reform, affirming that security standards at Rafic Hariri International Airport are on par with those at leading regional and European airports, crediting the Ministry of Interior, airport security services, customs, General Security, and all relevant agencies for their coordinated efforts.
In this vein, Rasamny congratulated the airport's newly empowered regulatory authority, saying its formal assumption of duties would boost productivity and profitability. Acknowledging that heightened security alerts can occasionally cause congestion at checkpoints, Rasamny said such measures are sometimes unavoidable.
On airfares, the Minister said he has recommended price reductions to ease the burden on citizens, alongside a plan to attract additional airlines to stimulate competition. "Several operating permits have already been granted, with further capacity being arranged to accommodate new carriers and additional flights, particularly ahead of parliamentary elections to facilitate travel by the Lebanese diaspora," Rasamny said, adding that "further service improvements will be rolled out progressively."
Turning to Ren© Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat, Rasamny said there is a clear political consensus to open the facility before summer, beginning with operations and followed by phased upgrades. He cited administrative routine as the main challenge, not political obstacles, and said the airport would create jobs in Tripoli and Akkar. "The project will rely on private operators under an amended public-private partnership framework approved by Parliament, with expectations of lower ticket prices and healthy competition with Beirut's airport," the Minister said.
Furthermore, Rasamny said that tangible improvements are already emerging following recent appointments at ministry-affiliated facilities, reflecting better organization, management, and work methodology. He described the appointment of new boards and chairpersons at the ports of Beirut and Tripoli, and the activation of the Civil Aviation Authority, as a turning point, with teams working extended hours to move these facilities from crisis toward recovery and development.
The Minister went on to outline a comprehensive restructuring approach for public facilities, saying newly appointed administrations inherited conditions akin to post-Beirut port blast disarray, marked by damage, neglect, and a lack of vision, necessitating broad rehabilitation, revised master plans, and clear, executable action plans. He also called for a unified national vision for managing public assets, paired with tailored strategies for each facility and empowered regulators to ensure oversight and continuity.
On customs reform, Rasamny said the current law is obsolete and requires a fundamental overhaul, criticizing fragmented decision-making between the Higher Customs Council and the Directorate General, arguing that no institution can function effectively without unified leadership. Reforming customs, Rasamny elaborated, is essential to improving public revenues, enabling the state to recover substantial income without imposing new taxes, an urgent priority given looming fiscal obligations.
Addressing maritime public property, Rasamny said work has begun on issuing collection notices to violators and compiling accurate data on encroachments, in coordination with relevant authorities, including the Lebanese Army. He announced a nationwide survey, from north to south, to reassess and reprice assets, aiming for transparency and higher revenues.
On Jounieh Port, the Minister said its reopening was a critical step, with private-sector operators responsible for running the facility. "Preparations to receive a cruise ship are nearing completion, with operations expected before the upcoming summer season. The port will focus on tourism, with potential maritime links to Lebanese and regional ports," Rasamny explained.
Regarding public transport, Rasamny said the ministry has adopted an integrated development plan centered on mass transit, requiring coordination with other ministries, particularly Interior, and municipalities. He noted that the absence of parking facilities and supporting infrastructure remains a major constraint. "Lebanon currently operates about 95 buses, supplemented by 34 new units donated by Qatar and UNDP, while actual needs are estimated at around 750 buses to ease congestion, especially at Beirut's entrances," Rasamny said.
On roads and highways, the Minister said widening key corridors, such as the Keserwan highway, remains a necessary but partial solution, contingent on enforcing regulations and organizing access points. "The long-term answer," he said, "lies in an integrated transport strategy that combines road development, mass transit, and urban planning to reduce congestion and improve quality of life."
The Minister further noted that accessibility has been incorporated into new public buses for persons with reduced mobility, with efforts underway to secure additional support from China. He also confirmed a crackdown on illegally registered transport vehicles, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, and said further measures will be taken against tuk-tuks due to safety risks on highways.
On another note, Rasamny said a Beirut metro is feasible but would require private investors and state support to keep fares affordable, alongside updated feasibility studies. He underscored the importance of clearing encroachments on railway land, estimated at nine million square meters, describing it as a national asset. "Security forces are assisting with removals, while studies are being updated to explore options such as bus rapid transit or tramways," Rasamny said, citing recently signed protocol between the Railways Authority and Tripoli Port, and regional discussions with Syria, Turkey, and Arab partners, as steps toward reviving rail connectivity.
Finally, Rasamny reviewed the national road and tunnel rehabilitation plan launched last May, saying the first year focused on prioritizing traffic safety on inter-governorate routes. "Projects linking Beirut to the North and the Bekaa are underway with the Council for Development and Reconstruction, funded in the 2026 budget. To reduce accidents, road safety standards and solar-powered lighting have been embedded in all tenders," Rasamny said. The Minister then added that flood-prone points have been rehabilitated and cleaned, with rapid-response contracts in place, noting improved performance this year while committing to accountability and anti-corruption safeguards.