Connelly Hands Over Nuclear-Radiological Materials Detection System to Lebanese Customs

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly on Wednesday attended the official hand-over ceremony of the Lebanon Megaports project to the Lebanese government.

"Sponsored by the National Nuclear Security Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy, the Megaports Initiative seeks to deter, detect, and interdict illicitly trafficked nuclear and radiological materials by deploying fixed, mobile and handheld detection equipment," according to a communiqué issued by the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.

The program has been installed at borders, airports and ports around the world.

Lebanon is the first country in the region to fully implement the Megaports program.

At the port of Beirut, Megaports has partnered with Lebanese Customs to install six detection systems. In addition, the National Nuclear Security Administration has agreed to maintain seven installations funded by the EU and deployed by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Speaking at the ceremony, Connelly applauded Lebanese Customs for their "dedication to making the Megaports program a success."

"The United States greatly values the outstanding cooperation we have received from Lebanese Customs and the Beirut Port. The key to this success has been the willingness of key people in the port to take responsibility for the operation of the system," Connelly added.

"We look forward to continued partnership and collaboration with the Lebanese government on critical nonproliferation efforts."