BEIRUT: Lebanon’s vehicle inspection centers will remain closed until Jan. 25, delaying for a second time the reopening of the centers.

When contacted, a recorded phone message at the Directorate of the Inspection Centers said the centers would be closed until Jan. 25.

The centers had been expected to reopen this week.

Earlier this month, the directorate issued a statement saying the inspection centers would remain temporarily close until Jan. 15 due to maintenance work.

However, security sources told The Daily Star earlier January that the real reason the centers would close down was due to the expiration of the administration contract and not maintenance works as claimed.

“The contract of the administration expired several weeks ago and the company [directorate] failed to renew it,” the sources said.

The sources also said that the directorate has yet to agree on whether to renew the contract of the existing company or sign a contract with a new one.