Bahrain backs Saudi ban on Lebanese vegetables

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain yesterday backed Saudi Arabia’s decision to ban imports and transit of agricultural products from Lebanon. Saudi had said that the ban on Lebanese produce imports would stay until Beirut proved it was working towards curbing illegal drug smuggling.

The move came as Saudi customs foiled an attempt to smuggle over five million Captagon pills in pomegranate shipped from Lebanon. Starting today, Saudi will no allow any fruit or vegetable shipments to enter the Kingdom.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign affairs said the move is for protecting Saudi society and combating transnational organised crime. Lebanese officials quickly pledged to do more to combat drug smuggling out of the country after Saudi Arabia ordered a ban on all produce imports from Beirut.