Ministry of Public Works: Qlayaat Airport Operation Independent from Additional Works

In response to a newspaper article regarding the additional works and equipment required for Qlayaat Airport, the Media Office of the Minister of Public Works and Transport clarifies the following:

The works and equipment mentioned in the letter submitted to the Council of Ministers are not part of the basic tender for operating Qlayaat Airport, nor do they fall under the investor's obligations or contract. The investor has no involvement in them whatsoever.
The basic tender, which has been completed, was based on securing the necessary requirements to allow the airport to begin operations at the minimum required operational level. Work is proceeding on this basis, and the start of airport operations will not depend on the execution of the additional works mentioned in the said letter.
As for the need for these works, it emerged later as a result of additional requests and needs submitted by the relevant security agencies and the Lebanese Army Command, within the framework of enhancing the airport's security, technical, and operational readiness levels. These are supplementary and complementary needs that exceed the scope of the basic works prepared for the commencement of operations.
Therefore, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport has clearly distinguished between two tracks:
First Track: Completing the procedures and basic works necessary to start operating Qlayaat Airport according to the specified schedule; this track is ongoing and active.
Second Track: Executing additional and complementary works and equipment requested by the competent authorities. These can be implemented and completed in parallel with the airport's operation and after its launch. Their non-completion in the first phase does not constitute an obstacle to operations.
The Media Office also confirms that the tendering for these additional works will be conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Law, through a transparent and open public tender following applicable legal procedures, ensuring competition, transparency, equality among bidders, and prudent use of public funds.
The Media Office further emphasizes that these additional works are not part of the investor's commitments, nor do they constitute an addition to their contract or a financial benefit for them. Rather, they are works and equipment related to the public facility and the requirements of the official and specialized security bodies, which the state undertakes to secure and execute according to proper procedures.
The Ministry's referral of this matter to the Council of Ministers comes specifically out of transparency, clarification of responsibilities, and securing the airport's additional needs in a proper manner, and not due to any deficiency preventing its operation.
The Minister of Public Works and Transport affirms that Qlayaat Airport will be put into service according to the specified schedule, and that the requested additional works will contribute to enhancing its readiness level after the start of operations, rather than delaying it or linking its operation to them.