SAUDIS BAN LEBANESE FRUITS, VEGETABLES TO CURB DRUG SMUGGLING

Saudi Arabia on Friday imposed a ban on imports of Lebanese fruit and vegetables into its territory, citing a spike in drug smuggling from Lebanon, Ramadan Al-Fatash and Weedah Hamzah reported for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

The ban will come into effect on Sunday and will continue until Lebanese authorities provide "adequate and trusted guarantees" to stop "systematic smuggling operations" into the kingdom, Saudi Arabia's state news agency SPA reported.

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it was informed of the Saudi decision and that the foreign minister has referred the issue to higher officials.

"Smuggling drugs in containers or trucks loaded with fruits and vegetables from Lebanon abroad is an act punishable by Lebanese law," the statement said. "Drug smuggling harms the economy, the Lebanese farmers, and the reputation of Lebanon," it added.

The statement also called on all security services and customs at the border crossings to make every effort to control all smuggling operations. The Saudi agency said Saudi authorities noticed increasing attempts by drug smugglers from Lebanon to use the Lebanese products, mainly fruit and vegetable shipments bound for the monarchy or transiting on the way to neighboring countries, for the illicit trade.

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