Closure of Bir Hassan’s gas stations aimed at avoiding a humanitarian crisis – Interior Ministry

The Ministry of Interior issued a statement on Monday, in which it said that the decision to close the gas distribution stations in South Beirut’s Bir Hassan area was based on security information made available to the ministry, adding that the closure aimed at avoiding a humanitarian and environmental crisis in the said region.  

The ministry added in its statement that Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq asked the Information Branch to implement tight security measures in order to maintain stability, and also pointed out that specific means were being adopted when transporting gas canisters from and into the stations.  

The ministry also emphasized that owners of these station were aware of the temporary and permanent measures, stressing that these measures were implemented after discussing them with Prime Minister Tammam Salam.  

On Saturday the 1st of March, Minister Mashnouq ordered the closure of the gas distribution stations in the Bir Hassan area, Beirut after investigations with arrested extremists revealed that the stations could be a target of a terrorist attack.   

Mashnouq ordered the stations' closure starting Monday the 3rd of March, until the whole stock is emptied.   

The ministry’s statement noted that the Choueifat and Dora gas stations will supply the material for the areas of Beirut and Dahieh.