Lebanese Republic 
Salam visits the “Middle East Airlines” offices
An international concern in keeping the airport safe. El Hout: we had guarantees that this facility will be kept aside
Caretaker Minister of Economy, Amin Salam, visited the Middle East Airlines offices at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport and held a meeting with Mohamad El Hout, the Chairman-Director General Middle East Airlines, in the presence of the company’s Public Relations Manager Rima Makkawi, the Purchasing Manager Mounir Seif El-Din, and Tarek El-Hout.
El Hout
Shortly, El-Hout said: “The visit of His Excellency, the Minister of Economy is a visit of support to The Middle East Airlines at this time when we are performing our national duty; and God willing, the airport will continue to operate during the coming months. Despite the difficult circumstances, we will continue to operate safely without exposing passengers or crews or aircraft and employees to risks.”
He added: “Since the suspension of foreign flights companies to Beirut, the company has operated an average of 36 outbound and 36 return flights per day; and has been able to transport 130,000 passengers, 110,000 of whom departed and 20,000 of whom arrived. We hope to continue at this pace with the support of the efforts of all loyal supporters, including Minister Salam.” He continued: “We are all working under the management and guidance of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, to whom we extend our greetings and thanks for all the efforts he has made at the airport in particular.”
Moreover, he saluted “all the workers at the airport, the Middle East Airlines as well as all the flight attendants and employees, in addition to those working in civil aviation,” stating: “We will never forget the Lebanese Army, which is doing a great job at the airport; and all the security forces working at the airport, including the Internal Security Forces, General Security, and Customs.”
He stressed that “the airport’s work is coordinated between everyone”; and said: “We received assurances through government authorities and some active Western Embassies, regarding the work continuity at the airport and the necessity of keeping it safe and ensuring that it is fully neutralized from strikes, regardless of the evacuation of foreign nationals or the end of this campaign.”
Salam
In turn, Salam said: “Our visit today is a duty and an honor for us, for the Middle East Airlines and for all those in charge of it, headed by Mr. Mohammad El-Hout. The company today is the airline of steadfastness and this is a characteristic of Lebanon and the Lebanese people.”
He added: “There is a documented scenery that will be remembered in history when we watch on Arab and international television screens the Middle East Airlines planes taking off and landing at the airport simultaneously with missiles falling in the areas near it. This is an unprecedented national act that we are proud of and we bear witness to all the workers, whether in civil aviation, the Lebanese army, Middle East Airlines or the entire team working at the company, from pilots or flight attendants or employees, as everyone in the company places himself in a precise and national position.”
He continued: “I conveyed to the Chairman of the Middle East Airlines a picture from all the countries embassies I visited to thank them for their support for Lebanon. The gratitude and appreciation feelings are mutual and give us strength as Lebanese, government, people and institutions.”
Furthermore, he thanked “the Middle East Airlines for evacuating the nationals,” noting that El-Hout had provided him with the flight numbers; and said: “There are dozens of round-trip flights and the numbers are large for an airline that works alone and bears this responsibility. Therefore, today we are making a support visit to the company and its management.”
He added: “During our meeting today, we stressed the great international interest in ensuring that this public facility remains the entrance and exit for Lebanese trade, economy and security; and that Lebanese communication with the world continues. All countries of the world are making great efforts to keep this facility safe and open regardless of the critical and difficult circumstances we are going through.”
A tour
At the end, Salam and El Hout walked with the company’s delegation through the MEA Training & Conferences Center and the Green building to look at the departments working therein.
