Lebanon’s “secretly approved” coastal projects spark outcry
Three decrees which gave the green light to controversial new construction projects across Lebanon’s coastline were reportedly signed in the last meetings of Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s outgoing cabinet, causing anger among activists, who raised concerns this week over possible environmental and legal repercussions, The New Arab reported on February 6th.
According to the Lebanese daily L’Orient–Le Jour, the move went “unnoticed for weeks” and although Lebanon’s coastal law mandates the shore as a public property, political infleunces and loopholes meant that illegal projects could go forward.
The first decree allows a road to be built in Bebnine, Akkar including an underground passage, while the second gives the go-ahead for an expansion of a seaside development in the Ras Maska village in Koura. The third one is concerning a project, near the southern Tyre, which is near the protected Mansouri site, which is a widely-known sea turtle nesting sanctuary.
The New Arab
