BEIRUT: A Future Movement MP voiced concerns Wednesday over a potential health hazard resulting from a ship with diseased cows still docked at Beirut port.

“MP Assem Araji fears that the ship, Zaher, anchored at Beirut port will turn into a health and environmental disaster that could affect the port and Lebanese territorial waters,” a statement by the lawmaker’s office said.

Addressing the Agriculture Ministry, Araji asked: “What is the significance of leaving the ship docked at the port up until now with the knowledge that the cows are dying on the ship every day?”

Agriculture Minister Hussein Hajj Hasan said Friday that veterinarians examined a shipment of livestock on Zaher 5 and that they have found that some of the 79 cows on board the vessel “were suffering from symptoms of different types of diseases.”

The minister from the Hezbollah parliamentary bloc said the shipment was consequently banned from entering the country, prompting the merchant to contest the decision.

Araji urged Hajj Hasan Wednesday to take a “decisive action” and demand the ship to leave Beirut port immediately.