NNA - Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny announced that 20 free public beaches have been licensed along Lebanon’s coastline this year, following the ministry’s issuance of 13 new permits to regulate beaches that had previously operated without an organized framework. These are in addition to permits granted last year and in previous years.

Rasamny made the announcement during a visit to the Fishermen’s Cooperative in Barbara, which the Ministry of Public Works and Transport recently rehabilitated in full after it was destroyed by fire last year.

Rasamny further explained that the permits are governed by stringent terms and conditions setting out organizational, safety and essential service requirements, and that the ministry closely monitors compliance. He stressed that permits would not be renewed for entities that fail to meet the stipulated standards.

"We want to make more of the coastline freely accessible to the public, but within a clear regulatory framework that protects beachgoers and ensures these sites are properly managed," Rasamny said.

The newly authorized locations are Ghazir, Nahr Ibrahim, Monsef, Jounieh, Kfar Abida, Dbayeh–Zouk El Kharab, Nahoum, Hamat, Okaibeh, Sidon, Ghazieh, Sarafand and Bayssarieh.

Previously issued permits cover Barbara, Qlayaat, Tabarja and Kfaryassine, the Fishermen’s Cooperative in Amchit, Jbeil, the Big Blue Campaign Association at Ramlet al-Baida, and Sarafand.

Rasamny stressed that expanding the network of public beaches reinforces a fundamental principle: the sea must remain accessible to all, with public access underpinned by proper regulation and robust safety standards.