Parliament’s Environment Committee reviewed the reopening of cement companies in Chekka and Koura, with Environment Minister Tamara Elzein and Industry Minister Joe Issa El Khoury reaffirming that operations are subject to strict environmental conditions and annual licensing.

Committee chairman Ghayath Yazbeck said the companies had committed in writing to all agreed conditions, stressing that licenses are reviewed yearly and compliance is mandatory.

Elzein said the companies were licensed under quarry regulations for the first time after decades of weak oversight, adding that the ministry imposed additional environmental compensation measures. She said monitoring will involve local authorities, the Environment Ministry and independent experts, warning that companies risk losing multimillion-dollar financial guarantees if they fail to comply. She called for a sustainable approach to the sector.