Street begging crackdown leads to 80 children's arrest

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour and Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi said on Wednesday that the ISF arrested 80 street beggars, most of them minors and non-Lebanese.

The ISF also arrested nine people who brought these children to the street. The three ministers added that two amongst them were released after it turned out that they were the children’s parents who were forced to vow that they will not bring their children back to the streets.

In a press conference, the three ministers said that when the campaign first began, it appeared that the implemented plan suffers from a few gaps. Abou Faour stressed the need to find the places where these children are taking refuge and treat them like victims.

Qortbawi said that the cause has humanitarian, social and legal aspects, adding that the campaign intends to set a trap for those who traffic the highest number of children. Qortbawi added that judges are doing their job and all loopholes will be settled.

Charbel said that the campaign will also include, in its second phase, street venders.

Two weeks ago, the three ministers had announced preparations for a campaign that will curb the phenomena of street beggars.