BEIRUT, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- A Lebanese provincial official called on the state government to contain the smuggling of apples to Lebanon to provide legal protection for the domestic industry, an online newspaper reported.

"We want the government to take serious measures to stop the smuggling of apples, in addition to supporting us in opening new markets for our produce," Abed Al Ilah Zakaria, head of Municipalities Syndicate in the northernmost province of Akkar, was quoted by Elnashra, an independent online newspaper, as saying.

A large number of Lebanese farmers make their livings by cultivating apples, Zakaria noted.

Lebanese farmers have, on many occasions, appealed to the authorities to support the agricultural sector by adopting different measures.