Lebanon's tourism industry is suffering

Lebanon's caretaker tourism minister Fadi Abboud has claimed that security concerns have driven tourists away during the small Mediterranean state's peak season . During a meeting with owners of restaurants, cafes and nightclubs in Beirut on Thursday, Abboud the current state of insecurity was having a negative impact on both the economy and the tourism industry. "It is difficult for me to explain the situation to other political leaders, but the current economic situation in Lebanon is critical, and the tourism industry has suffered because of these conditions," he said. Abboud claimed that if the government failed to take the necessary measures to improve the security situation, the Lebanese people would be faced with further economic difficulties in the future.   He urged the Lebanese government to draft a plan on how to overcome the current crisis.