Illegal Construction Booming in the South but Baroud Says No Cover-up for the Corrupt
Hundreds of violations in illegal construction on state property have been recorded in southern Lebanon, As Safir daily reported Wednesday warning that the phenomenon could spread if security forces do not put an end to it.
More than 500 violations have been made in the south, particularly in the towns of Adloun, Sarafand, al-Bisariyeh, al-Zrariyeh and al-Saksakiyeh, the newspaper quoted a security source as saying.
Around 1,000 residential units were built on thousands of acres of public property, according to estimates.
The violations could spread to other towns such as Zebqin, al-Mansouri and Majdel Zoun, the source warned.
The source said the illegal construction began around 20 years ago in al-Bisariyeh’s Yarin neighborhood and soon began mushrooming after “influential political forces” pressured security forces into turning a blind eye to violators.
As Safir said that Hizbullah and Amal have remained mum on the violations except that the movement backed security forces in stopping illegal construction on property owned by the agriculture ministry in the area of al-Ziraa.
Hizbullah also has only informed its members not to infringe on state property and gave them the choice of building more floors on already existing houses.
Caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Baroud told As Safir that he insists on the implementation of the law and said security forces have clear instructions to end all violations.
He said he doesn’t cover any person who has been bribed, in reference to reports that some ISF personnel are being bribed to remain silent to the ongoing violations.
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