MPs from the National Independence and National Moderation blocs, 11 September 2023. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — A joint meeting of the National Independence and National Moderation parliamentary blocs was held in the office of MP Michel Murr Monday, to discuss the possibility of opening the Qlayaat airport located in Akkar. The topic was raised to address the “congestion" of Beirut International Airport, and the “file of displaced Syrian refugees in Lebanon,” the state-run National News Agency reported Monday.
The small airport was built in 1934 by the Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC), which initially used it to transport its employees between Lebanon and various Arab countries via its private planes.
In 1966, control of the airport was handed to the Lebanese Army, which expanded and developed it into one of the most modern air bases in the region.
MP's representing the National Independence bloc at the meeting included Farid Haykel Khazen, William Tohme, Michel Murr and Tony Frangieh.
Representing the National Moderation bloc were MP's Walid Al-Baarini, Sagih Attieh, Mohammad Sleiman and former MP Hadi Hobeish.
"Today we discussed the reopening of Qlayaat airport, given its national and developmental significance for Lebanon as a whole and particularly for the northern region. It holds great importance for our country, especially in the current economic circumstances," Sleiman stated after the meeting.
"Lebanon needs more airports, as Rafic Hariri [Beirut] International Airport is under significant pressure, and opening new airports would serve as an economic and commercial gateway for everyone."
The economic crisis, which has ravaged the country since 2019, negatively affected the operations of Lebanons only international airport.
"The north, unfortunately, is far from major development projects... Lebanon needs more than two airports," stated Frangieh. There is a "need to overcome technical obstacles and various concerns facing the Qlayaat airport project," he added.
Speaking on the topic of Syrian refugees, Frangieh said "the Syrian displacement issue has been approached in the wrong way, and it has created a vertical division in the Lebanese public opinion."
He continued, stating "it concerns all components of this nation and should be placed on a high priority agenda."
Frangieh called on "all political forces to assume their responsibilities, as the issue of Syrian displacement has become a grave threat to the Lebanese economy and identity."
A cabinet meeting planned this morning on the topic of illegal Syrian immigrants was turned into a "consultative meeting," due to a lack of quorum.