Beirut, Tripoli Abattoirs Closed for Renovation, Halba Restaurant Shut Down over Food Poisoning

The notorious Beirut slaughterhouse was closed Wednesday for rehabilitation while a similar decision was taken to shut down the Tripoli abattoir, amid an unprecedented food safety campaign led by Health Minister Wael Abou Faour.

Beirut Governor Ziad Chebib has decided to renovate the capital's slaughterhouse in Karantina and impose strict health measures on workers, Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat and An Nahar newspaper said Wednesday.

Jumblat described the governor's closure of the slaughterhouse as an insufficient move, saying via twitter that Beirut's residents reject “any cosmetic action.”

"A brand new slaughterhouse is to be built in the same location away from political pressures," he tweeted.

He called on the Council for Development and Reconstruction to issue tenders “as soon as possible.”

According to An Nahar, the governor will request the Internal Security Forces and Beirut police to accompany him to implement the decisions.

Sources close to Beirut municipality pointed out that the main problem lies with the cattle traders, who refuse to abide by the health measures imposed by the municipality.

Chebib's decision comes two days after he toured the slaughterhouse and in light of a food safety campaign that Minister Abou Faour, a member of Jumblat's party, kicked off recently by revealing the names of violating food firms and restaurants across Lebanon.

Beirut's slaughterhouse is well-known for having “disastrous” hygiene conditions.

Meanwhile, Tripoli's governor took a similar decision on Wednesday, revealing that the northern city's slaughterhouse will be shut down Thursday.

Governor Ramzi Nohra ordered the closure “due to the urgent need to carry out immediate and quick repair works aimed at preserving the health of citizens,” state-run National News Agency reported.

It said Nohra took his decision after inspecting the abattoir and describing its conditions as “very miserable.”

“The slaughterhouse does not meet the legal health standards and specifications,” he said.

Nohra described the metallic hooks used for hanging the meat as “worn-out and covered with rust,” noting that “the water used at the facility is unclean and the slaughter and storing methods do not meet the proper health conditions.”

Separately, the Internal Security Forces shut down a restaurant in the northern town of Halba following an order from the public prosecution.

Ten people were food poisoned after they ate fajitas and taouk meals at the restaurant, NNA said.

The owner was arrested for interrogation while three of the customers are still receiving treatment in hospital, the agency added.

H.K./Y.R.