Lebanese PM says dangerous nuclear substances found at southern oil plant

Nuclear energy authority confirms German Combi Lift report of hazardous materials located in Zahrani installation

By ToI Staff 26 March 2021, 5:18 pm

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In this photo released by Lebanon's official government photographer, Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab attends an interview with The Associated Press at the government palace, in Beirut, Lebanon, December 29, 2020. (Dalati Nohra via AP)

Lebanon’s interim Prime Minister announced Friday that dangerous nuclear substances had been found at oil installations in Zahrani in the south of the country, according to a Reuters report.

PM Hassan Diab said that a report conducted by Combi Lift, a German heavy-lift transport company, had been reviewed by Lebanon’s nuclear energy authority, and it found the materials to be dangerous nuclear substances.

“This is something that needs to be discussed now and needs to be dealt with promptly,” Diab said in a statement.

Various radioactive materials are a byproduct of oil and gas production. It was not clear whether these were the materials Diab was referring to.

Lebanon does not have a nuclear energy program.