Lebanon vows co-operation after Saudi ban
BEIRUT: Lebanon is ready to co-operate with all states to fight drug smuggling after Saudi Arabia banned the import and transit of Lebanese fruit and vegetables due to the illicit trade, the Lebanese caretaker interior minister said on Friday.
Lebanese security “has been exerting tremendous efforts combating drug smuggling,” Mohamed Fahmy told reporters, adding that smugglers might sometimes succeed despite those “meticulous” efforts.
He also called for “more co-operation” between the security services in the two countries.
The official news agency reported on Friday that Saudi Arabia will ban Lebanese fruits and vegetables entering the kingdom or passing through it because those shipments have been increasingly used to smuggle drugs.
The ban, ordered by the kingdom’s Interior Ministry, will begin on Sunday, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry said it is aware of the decision. It said smuggling and shipping drugs “is damaging to the Lebanese economy, to the Lebanese farmers and to Lebanon’s reputation.” It called on Lebanese customs authorities to increase checks and inspections of shipments leaving the country.
The decision is a blow to Lebanon’s economy, in which agricultural exports are a major foreign currency earner for the cashstrapped Lebanese government. Lebanon is already reeling from the worst economic and financial crisis of its modern history. The local currency has lost 85% of its value to the dollar in recent months and businesses have shut down while banks imposed informal controls on transfers and withdrawals.
Arab countries are Lebanon’s main export markets for agricultural products, accounting for nearly 80% of over $190 million of total exports in 2019, where Saudi Arabia had more than 20% of the share, followed by Qatar.
The Saudi order said drug smuggling from Lebanon has increased, using shipments of Lebanese produce into the kingdom to smuggle the contraband destined for Saudi Arabia or neighbouring countries. The ban will be in place until Lebanese authorities offer guarantees to stop “systematic smuggling aimed at the kingdom.”
The statement also said it will scrutinise other shipments from Lebanon.