Beirut [Lebanon], February 26: The government has moved forward with plans to reopen Rene Mouawad International Airport in Qlayaat in northern Lebanon, and officials say it may begin operations this summer.
The airport has been a highly politicised topic for years as economic and social concerns at times have taken a backseat to sectarian arguments for and against it.
But officials and experts told Al Jazeera that political opposition has largely dimmed in recent months. The project is being heavily backed by the government with Lebanon's transportation minister set to take part in a demonstration flight in the coming weeks. Officials and experts also said the airport, located 6km from the Syrian border, could serve large parts of Syria and Lebanon and provide an economic reprieve to a region with some of Lebanon's most economically disadvantaged people. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
