Public Works Committee Vows Not to Tolerate Illegal Construction Amid More Attacks on ISF

Head of the parliamentary public works committee MP Mohammed Qabbani vowed to clamp down on illegal construction in Beirut’s southern suburbs and in the south describing it as a “national disaster.”

“Let no one dream of legalizing violations. This is impossible,” Qabbani told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat in remarks published Wednesday.

He spoke on Tuesday after a committee meeting attended by 45 lawmakers, Caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Baroud, Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi and army representatives.

“The MPs agreed that what is happening today in terms of violations is similar to a national disaster,” he said. Qabbani reiterated that illegal construction near Beirut airport is ongoing and poses a danger to aviation safety.

“Parliament will never legalize these violations. Every violation on public property or the properties of others will be demolished,” the MP added.

The lawmaker urged judges to punish the violators, saying “it is unacceptable to release people who have infringed on public property and attacked security forces and the army after less than three hours of their arrest.”

His comments came as owners of buildings clashed with ISF members seeking to remove illegal buildings near the airport road on Tuesday.

In southern Lebanon, police demolished four building projects in the coastal town of Adloun. But the owners blocked the road and prevented the bulldozer from demolishing more buildings, setting it on fire.