Judge Ibrahim launches investigations in Aridi, Safadi's statements

Financial General Prosecutor Judge Ali Ibrahim ordered on Tuesday to be handed a copy of the press conference held by caretaker Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi and a copy of statements launched by caretaker Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi to start investigations in this regard.

On Monday,  caretaker Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi stressed that he understands statements against him since "nothing justifies the incident that took place on the airport road due to rainfall".

"I apologize to the Lebanese people," he said.         

The airport highway was completely blocked on Wednesday afternoon due to rainfall, keeping citizens stranded in their cars as the water level in the second tunnel on the airport road was one and a half meter high, blocking both sides of the highway.

Minister Aridi said during a press conference that he asked caretaker Finance Minister Mohamad Safadi, on May 31st, to manage the people's pending issues which date back to 2012.                

"On September 2, I received a notice of non-approval from Safadi although he approved on May 7," Aridi said.

For his part, caretaker Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi told LBCI that “one of the worst things when caretaker Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi holds everyone responsible for not carrying out his duties,” noting that he speaks “as if he were the ideal minister.”

However, Safadi stressed that he is implementing the instructions of caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and preserving the governmental funds, stating that “there are matters more important that the public works ministry.”

“Aridi is the one who failed to fulfill his duties, and he is now holding everyone accountable,” Safadi added.

The caretaker minister noted that Mikati has ordered to spend the funds as needed, calling on Aridi not to engage in “silly matters.”