The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamieh, issued a circular ordering the removal of all billboards placed in violation of the rules.
The circular reiterates Article 15 of the decree regulating billboard sector No. 8861 issued in 1996 and amended in 2015 with a new decree No. 1302.
The related rules mandate that violating billboards should be removed within 10 days by the owners and at their own expense.
However, advertising companies have expressed their doubts regarding the Minister’s decision, according to MTV.
The head of the Syndicate of Advertising Agency Owners, George Jabbour, said: “No one informed or contacted us. We do not understand the resolution. Is the goal to distract people from real-life issues?”
On the other hand, Hamieh said: “My decision was taken before the parliamentary elections, but I waited so as not to be accused of influencing the electoral campaigns.”
Also, he denied any claims by the advertising companies and added: “Business owners benefit from their relationships with influential people in power and political parties to use billboards.”
