A number of protesters on Friday stormed the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation in Hazmieh. Consequently, Minister of Public Works Ali Hamieh met with them and listened to their demands. 

“I am a minister, but I am one of the people first and foremost. When I accepted to be a minister, I took responsibility and realized the extent of the gap between the people’s needs and the government, as well as the dire financial situation in the country,” Hamieh said. 

He reassured protesters that he would follow up till the end everything that is righteous and lawful. 

“I will not keep Beirut port hostage to local or regional political strife. Beirut port must return as it was before,” he added.