Report: Mystery Surrounds UAE's Delay in Granting Visa to Minister Hajj Hassan

The United Arab Emirates reportedly stalled in granting Industry Minister Hussein Hajj Hassan a visa to enter the country to take part in an exhibition.

According to al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Friday, the minister wasn't granted the visa until the exhibition – Gulfood (the World's biggest annual food and hospitality show) opened its doors.

47 Lebanese factories are taking part in the exhibition.

Informed sources told the daily that Hajj Hassan applied for the visa two weeks ahead of the opening of the show, but it was given to him a day after the exhibition opened, which compelled him not to take part in it in solidarity with Lebanese participants.

The sources said that despite the aggravating contacts, the minister wasn't given the visa although he has a diplomatic passport.

The sources said that the minister will discuss the matter during the upcoming cabinet session.

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