Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rassamni has submitted an official complaint to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) over the targeting and destruction of the fishermen’s port in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura, a vital civilian facility dedicated to serving local fishermen.
He explained that “this attack constitutes a flagrant violation of international laws and conventions, particularly the rules that guarantee the protection of civilian maritime facilities and the freedom and safety of maritime navigation, in addition to breaching the provisions of international humanitarian law.”
He noted that the complaint included a documented account of the incident, supported by satellite images showing the extent of the damage inflicted on the port, including the destruction of infrastructure and boats, and the resulting complete disruption of maritime activity in the area.
He stressed that the targeted port “is used exclusively for civilian purposes and represents a primary source of livelihood for dozens of Lebanese families, which exacerbates the humanitarian and economic repercussions of the incident.”
The complaint was based on a number of international principles and conventions, most notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the principles protecting civilian facilities and infrastructure, and the rules of international humanitarian law prohibiting the targeting of civilian objects.
Rassamni asked the International Maritime Organization to “open an independent international investigation into the incident, document the violation in the organization’s records, take the necessary measures within its authority, and affirm the need to protect civilian maritime facilities and prevent the recurrence of such attacks.”
He stressed that Lebanon “reserves its right to take all necessary legal and diplomatic measures to protect its vital facilities and the rights of its citizens,” calling on the international community to “assume its responsibilities in putting an end to these violations.”
