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Arab News

07-05-2025

Lebanon welcomes return of Emirati tourists with pledges to ensure their safety
BEIRUT: Three UAE planes arriving at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday are scheduled to carry Emirati nationals for the first time since a travel ban was imposed in 2024 due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced that the security services 'are ready to ensure the safety and security of our Arab brothers during the summer.'
Salam welcomed the UAE's decision to lift the ban on its citizens traveling to Lebanon.
During a meeting on Tuesday with the ambassadors of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Salam expressed hope that 'this will extend to other Arab countries in the coming weeks.'
The meeting was attended by the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, as well as the charge d'affaires of the UAE and Kuwait.
On the Lebanese side, the meeting was attended by the ministers of defense, interior, tourism, and public works.
Salam said he listened to the concerns of the ambassadors and assured them that 'we will work to address them. I informed them of the security changes taking place at Beirut airport and its surroundings.'
President Salam's adviser, Mounir Rabie, told Arab News: 'The Gulf diplomats raised their concerns regarding the return of their nationals to Lebanon, including the need to improve and develop airport procedures, as well as security and economic concerns.'
Rabie described the atmosphere as 'positive.'
He said Lebanon has proposed a plan that will include the formation of a tourism operations room to monitor all security and tourism issues.
According to Salam's office, the diplomats were briefed on the measures taken by the Lebanese authorities at Beirut airport and its surroundings, including on the roads leading to it, to reassure these countries before they decide to lift the ban on the return of their nationals to Lebanon.
Emirati airlines resumed flights to Beirut last December, but without allowing Emirati citizens to come to Beirut.
The announcement comes after Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun met his UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, after which it was announced that the ban would be lifted.
A special reception is scheduled for the UAE passengers at the airport, with Information Minister Paul Morcos participating.
Lebanese officials and the public are counting on this step to revitalize tourism and investment activity in the country, especially in light of the stifling economic crisis it is experiencing.
A ministerial source said: 'Efforts are focused on sending reassuring messages domestically and abroad that Lebanon is capable of attracting its Arab brothers once again, given the climate of stability it is keen to maintain through the security and political measures being implemented.'
The lifting of the ban on the return of Emiratis was accompanied by a series of conditions and procedures they must follow, most notably 'mandatory registration in the Tawajudi service before traveling to Beirut to ensure their safety and the smooth running of the travel process, whether from the UAE or any other country. This is aimed at ensuring effective communication with citizens while abroad and avoiding the suspension of travel procedures or exposure to legal accountability.'
Emirati citizens must also 'fill in the required information, including their place of residence in Lebanon, emergency numbers, and reasons for the visit, with the necessity of updating this information in the event of any change.'