Ministers announce coordinated efforts to address the bird problem at Beirut airport, citing drainage issues and unauthorised farms as the source.
The government has launched a coordinated response to the proliferation of birds near Beirut airport, with Public Works Minister Fayez Rsamani stating that his ministry is working on smart solutions to treat drainage systems that cause foul odours in the airport vicinity. Rsamani, speaking to LBCI, said the ministry has taken important decisions and modified one of them, and bears responsibility for part of handling the bird problem. He emphasised that no landfill should be located near the airport.
Rsamani noted that a pest control committee does not currently exist and must be established. The ministry is treating the issue as urgent, having researched it thoroughly over recent weeks in coordination with other government bodies responsible for different aspects of the problem.
The head of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Authority, Captain Mohammed Aziz, told LBCI that the focus must be on fighting the causes of birds at the airport and the environment that sustains them. He praised the speed with which the file has been handled, saying it was examined within 11 days, and credited Public Works Minister Rsamani and another minister for the progress being made. The authority sees itself as being on the right track.
Agriculture Minister Nizar Haani disclosed that instructions have been given to the governors of Beirut and Mount Lebanon to instruct municipalities to ban pigeon breeding in the airport vicinity. The restriction targets the practice of keeping pigeons, which are identified as part of the bird problem.
Haani revealed that his ministry is preparing a report on the types of farms in the area, including poultry and cattle operations. According to the minister, a large portion of these farms meet required environmental standards, but a smaller portion operates without licences. He stressed that continuous monitoring is in place and that he expects a complete report by the end of the week.
On enforcement, Haani made clear that every violator will be held responsible. Once the full picture emerges at week's end, he said, necessary decisions will be taken based on the findings. The implicit threat of action against unlicensed operations signals an intent to move beyond assessment to penalties.
The coordination among three separate agencies signals recognition that the bird problem has multiple causes. Drainage systems, unauthorised farm operations, and pigeon breeding all require different regulatory approaches, with each ministry taking the aspect within its jurisdiction. The assignment of responsibility is explicit, reducing scope for blame-shifting later.
The timeline set by Haani for completion of his report means decisions on farm enforcement could come as early as late in the week. Both ministers indicated that action is imminent once the assessment phase concludes. The stated urgency reflects pressure to resolve the issue, which affects one of Lebanon's critical pieces of infrastructure.
What remains unclear is whether the measures will be sufficient to resolve the bird presence significantly, and whether compliance from farms and residents will be forthcoming. The government has committed to action, but the extent and pace of enforcement will determine whether the bird problem diminishes or persists despite the stated coordination.
