Ski slopes in Lebanon. (Credit: Magaly Abboud/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — Unidentified persons cut the wires of the ski lift at the Al-Arz ski resort in the Bcharre region, northern Lebanon, on Friday, causing enough damage to threaten the ski season.
One of the owners of the resort confirmed to L’Orient Today that the damage to the ski lift is considerable and it is not possible to repair the damage before the ski season.
The owner said the army's intelligence and security services are conducting a preliminary investigation into the incident.
MP William Tawk said in a statement that he appealed to the security services and judicial authorities to carry out the necessary investigations to uncover the identity of the perpetrators and arrest them as quickly as possible.
Like all businesses in Lebanon, ski resorts have been hit by the economic crisis that has seen the national currency depreciated by more than 90 percent, undermining the purchasing power of residents in Lebanon.
The economic situation pushed some resorts to consider closing their doors last year while others priced their entrance fees in dollars.
Additional reporting contributed by Michel Hallak