BEIRUT: Lebanon’s vehicle inspection centers will resume work Friday, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel told The Daily Star Thursday.

“The vehicle inspection centers will resume work tomorrow after the Cabinet decided to renew the contract with the administration,” Said Charbel.

The decision was made by Cabinet Thursday decided to renew the contract for a six-month term.

The Directorate of the Inspection Centers issued a statement earlier this month saying the centers would remain temporarily closed until Jan. 15 due to maintenance work.

A recorded phone message at the directorate Wednesday said the centers would still be closed until Jan. 25 for the same reason.

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

Charbel said that he will contact the directorate and inform them of the Cabinet’s decision so that they can resume work.

He added the Cabinet will launch a tender during the six-month period with new conditions for the company that will be working with directorate.

“It might still be the same existing company today … this will depend on the outcome of the tender,” Charbel said.