Lebanon launches rehabilitation and operation project of Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat

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Lebanon 06-06-2026 | 13:56

Lebanon launches rehabilitation and operation project of Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat

Security measures and official attendance mark the inauguration of the long-awaited airport development project in Akkar, aimed at boosting connectivity, economic activity, and cargo operations in northern Lebanon.

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Lebanon launches rehabilitation and operation project of Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (Michel Hallak)
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (Michel Hallak)
Arrival of the Lebanese Prime Minister at Qlayaat Airport for its inauguration (Houssam Shbaro)
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (Nabil Ismail)
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All logistical and organizational measures have been taken to launch the rehabilitation process of Rene Mouawad Airport and resume its operation in Qlayaat, Akkar, which is the second civilian airport in Lebanon after Rafic Hariri International Airport.


 

The Lebanese Army is taking security measures at the airport gate to allow the entry of all official invitees to attend this ceremony, leading into the airport grounds where a red carpet has been laid out, all the way to the celebration tent that was specially prepared for this occasion in celebration of this important achievement.

The US ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, said from Rene Mouawad Airport: “A new airport means new hope for Lebanon and a stronger economy.”

 

 

 

In a separate matter, he said: “This is the first time Lebanon decides its own fate on its own without anyone’s interference. The negotiations in Washington were very important. Naim Qassem makes decisions as he wishes, and we also make our own decisions.”

 

The Minister of Tourism, Laura Khazen Lahoud, said: “Rene Mouawad Airport will stimulate economic activity, create job opportunities, and the north will benefit from it. We will also use it for cargo operations.”

A view of the attendees (Michel Hallak)
A view of the attendees (Michel Hallak)

 

 

The Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Ahmad Al-Hajjar, said: “The inauguration of Rene Mouawad Airport is a real first step. I congratulate the people of Akkar who have been waiting for the presence of the state, and we will hold intensive meetings in the coming weeks to control and regulate security matters.”

 

 

 

Military helicopters flew over the airport area, while security measures were taken along the entire road extending from Al-Abdeh at the southern entrance of Akkar Governorate all the way to the airport, which spans more than five million square meters in the territory of Qlayaat town, only a few hundred meters from the Mediterranean coast and about six kilometers from the northern border point of Arida with Syria.

 

The first aircraft landed on the runway, carrying the Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, accompanied by the Minister of Public Works, Fayez Rasamny.

 

The lenses of colleagues Nabil Ismail, Houssam Shbaro, and Michel Hallak covered the inauguration ceremony of the project to develop and operate Rene Mouawad Airport.

 

 

Ambassador Michel Issa (Michel Hallak).
Ambassador Michel Issa (Michel Hallak).

 

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at Beirut Airport heading to Qlayaat Airport (Nabil Ismail).
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at Beirut Airport heading to Qlayaat Airport (Nabil Ismail).

 

Tags
Akkar ، Rafic Hariri International Airport ، Beirut ، Washington ، Naim Qassem ، Nawaf Salam ، Rene Mouawad Airport ، Qleiat ، Michel Issa ، Qlayaat