Review and assessment of national efforts to manage radioactive sources and enhance nuclear security measures in Lebanon

Abstract

Radioactive and nuclear materials have been used for a long time in warfare. During the 20th and 21st centuries, a large number of atmospheric and underground nuclear weapons tests were carried out, even after the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT), leading to ecologically and socially destroyed sites. The most recent ones were in North Korea and Russia. With the widespread of peaceful use of radiological and nuclear material, the threats of nuclear terrorism or malicious use of these materials have become major concern across the world. Although the issuing of the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material treaty in 1997 (CPPNM), a considerable number of incidents involving radioactive materials due to unauthorized access or use were reported to the Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) system of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In Lebanon, radioactive materials are vastly used in medicine, industry, research and agriculture. As a consequence, our country is facing the world common concerns and threats, especially after recent security status and geopolitical situation in the region. This work served to evaluate the current national situation relevant to nuclear security, where strong and weak points, pertinent to legal texts and procedures, were highlighted in order to deduce essential recommendations that could help in strengthening national security regime. The exerted governmental efforts were presented and discussed.