A heavy storm sweeping through the country this week sparked controversy Wednesday over the condition of Jbeil's historic harbor, as the mayor decried its deteriorating state and the Culture Ministry insisted that there is no threat to the port.

The statement said the storm had not inflicted any damage on the port, assuring that the historic harbor of Byblos was not threatened with collapse.

As for the threat to the harbor, the mayor said that a ministerial statement claiming the absence of any real threat to the port wouldn't suffice.

Jbeil MP Simon Abi Ramia also claimed that the port was damaged after inspecting the city in the aftermath of the storm Wednesday.

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