Lebanon president orders increased efforts to combat drug smuggling

Lebanese President Michel Aoun yesterday demanded security forces increase efforts to combat drug smuggling.

The president’s demands came after Saudi Arabia Friday banned the entry of fruits and vegetables imported from Lebanon after a failed attempt to smuggle millions of amphetamines in pomegranates.

Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait supported Riyadh’s decision.

Lebanon’s Agriculture Minister, Abbas Mortada, said he regretted the Saudi decision, explaining that fruit and vegetable trade with Saudi Arabia is worth around $24 million per year.

Lebanon said yesterday it hoped Saudi Arabia would reconsider the ban. Beirut is currently suffering its worst economic crisis since the civil war.

READ: Kuwait ups monitoring of Lebanon produce after drug smuggling attempts