Gathering in Akkar calls on Aoun & Hariri to reopen Kleiat airport

The civil society of Akkar in the North rallied yesterday to step up efforts aimed at reopening the Kleiat Airport. In cooperation with the Federation of Municipalities of Akkar Plain, residents and local dignitaries gathered in the town of Tal Hayat under the banner ‘Kleiat …is taking off’ to stress the development purpose of the protest which, they say, does not have any political or partisan linkages as it is entirely aimed at rehabilitating the airport planned to generate nearly 6 thousand jobs in the first phase, and up to 21 thousand prospects with the completion of the project, according to activist Jamal Khodr. Similarly, the Mufti of Akkar appealed to the President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, who advocates for change and reform, to give priority to this vital matter, and called on the prime minister to take a historic decision to this end. In a related development and according to Al Diyar newspaper, Akkar residents blame the successive Hariri led governments for impeding the reopening of the airport for many reasons. One reason, is that these governments were reluctant to delocalize trade and the economy away form the capital. Another reason, Al Diyar wrote, is that since the airport is anticipated to create 20 thousand new jobs to citizens of Akkar, this new project may divert political allegiance towards local political forces. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, February 9 and 13, 2017)

 

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Demands to re-open Kleiat airport in the North to create new jobs

Kleiat airport in Akkar still a political hostage