Reuters reported, citing an internal report by a United Nations aviation agency, that the Beirut Airport accreditation certificate had expired, at a time when the Lebanese Minister of Transport expected to obtain the certificate within days. The agency quoted sources as saying that the shortcomings mentioned in the report are expected to delay the resumption of direct flights between the United States and Lebanon. According to Reuters, the report also indicated that Lebanon lacks an independent, effective and fully established body to investigate aircraft accidents. These observations place the airport’s accreditation file and accident investigation mechanisms among the issues to be addressed, in conjunction with the anticipation of resuming direct air links with the United States. On the other hand, Transport Minister Fayez Rasamni told Reuters that it is expected to obtain the airport’s accreditation certificate within days, stressing that work is underway to address the concerns raised.