20 Public Free Beaches Licensed Along the Lebanese Coast

Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rassamani confirmed that "the number of publicly licensed free beaches along the Lebanese coastline has reached 20 this year, following the granting of 13 new permits to organize beaches that were previously unregulated, added to permits issued last year and previous years."

He explained during a visit to the fishermen's cooperative in Barbarie that "permits are subject to strict technical specifications outlining requirements for organization, safety, and essential services, and the ministry monitors compliance. Entities failing to implement required conditions will not have their permits renewed." He emphasized that "we aim to provide wider beach access for the public at no cost, but within clear rules that protect visitors and ensure proper management."

The new permits include: Ghazir, Nahr Ibrahim, Al-Munassif, Jounieh, Kfar Abida, Dibbiya – Dhour el-Kharab, Tihum, Hamat, Al-Aqiba, Saida, Al-Ghaziyah, Al-Sarand and Al-Bisarya. Previously granted permits cover: Barbarie, Al-Qleiat, Tabarja and Kfriyasen, the cooperative association of fishermen in Amchit, the Al-Zarqa al-Kebira Association – Al-Ramlah al-Beyda, Jbeil, and Al-Sarand.

Rassamani noted that "expanding public beaches reinforces a fundamental principle: that the sea must remain accessible to all, and access must be linked with organization and safety."