The waters of the Berdawni, a river that runs through Zahleh, turned white and black on March 3, 2025. Photo provided by our correspondent Sarah Abdallah.
The new master plan for the city of Zahleh, Bekaa district, adopted during a city council meeting on Feb. 27, has faced opposition from the National Litani Office, a public institution managing water resources along the river of the same name, and strong criticism from Zahleh MP Georges Okais of the Lebanese Forces. Both have criticized the lack of transparency in the plan’s decision-making process. The city’s municipality has defended itself against these accusations.Typically preceded by public consultations between the municipality and civil society members, such plans outline a city’s major urban development directions in the medium and long term. They must be approved not only by the city council but also by the Directorate General of Urban Planning, the Ministry of Public Works, and, ultimately, either Parliament if a law is...
The new master plan for the city of Zahleh, Bekaa district, adopted during a city council meeting on Feb. 27, has faced opposition from the National Litani Office, a public institution managing water resources along the river of the same name, and strong criticism from Zahleh MP Georges Okais of the Lebanese Forces. Both have criticized the lack of transparency in the plan’s decision-making process. The city’s municipality has defended itself against these accusations.Typically preceded by public consultations between the municipality and civil society members, such plans outline a city’s major urban development directions in the medium and long term. They must be approved not only by the city council but also by the Directorate General of Urban Planning, the Ministry of Public Works, and, ultimately, either Parliament if a law...
Humanitarian convoy reaches Rmeish, Ain Ibl, Dibil despite obstacles