Beirut's Port Back At Work
Joseph S. Mayton - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Beirut, Lebanon (AHN) - Beirut's port was fully functional on Saturday, the first time it has been able to operate since Israel put a maritime blockade on the country. Two boats arrived at the port early Saturday morning. "We're back in business and everyone is working," port director Hassan Kraytem told AFP. Lebanese police and soldiers outnumbered the workers at the dock. 250 French soldiers who had landed earlier in the day reinforced the police and soldiers. Israel lifted the eight weeklong blockade on Friday after it received assurances from the United Nations and the international community that there would be a monitoring system in place. Beirut welcomed the move, saying that they would be able to begin in earnest the reconstruction process and the economy would pick up after the 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel. "Beirut port is a reflection of Lebanon's economy," Kraytem said. "We are an essential part of the economy," he added.
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