Daou, Salam discuss Choueifat free zone and Costa Brava landfill
MP Mark Daou met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to discuss three key issues affecting Choueifat: the closure of farms and slaughterhouses in the Choueifat desert area, a proposed free zone near Beirut Airport, and the municipality’s financial and development rights related to the Costa Brava landfill.
Daou called for firm deadlines to permanently close farms and slaughterhouses in the area, urging authorities to enforce a Cabinet decision requiring operators to renew licenses and comply with health, safety and environmental standards. He also demanded that these facilities be relocated away from the airport.
Regarding the proposed free zone, Daou presented a project aimed at creating employment opportunities, stimulating economic activity and expanding airport-related commercial operations.
He said Salam had supported examining the proposal, adding that he had identified a suitable publicly owned plot of land and had contacted Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, who expressed readiness to assist. Daou also cited previous consultations with officials responsible for Tripoli’s free zone.
Turning to the Costa Brava landfill, Daou demanded payment of the municipality’s entitlements for every ton of waste received, along with funds allocated for investment projects under the decree establishing the facility.
He also called for securing the municipality’s right to utilize the landfill’s entire surface, including its second and third phases, for renewable energy projects involving solar power and gas generated by decomposing waste.
Daou proposed supplying the electricity produced to Beirut Airport and using available energy to illuminate public roads and support water services in Choueifat.
He welcomed the government’s decision to restore full operations at the Amrousiyeh waste-sorting facilities in coordination with the Ministry of Environment and the National Solid Waste Management Authority.
Daou stressed that the proposed projects represented legitimate rights of Choueifat residents and warned against allowing political considerations or pressure on the municipal council to obstruct their implementation.
He called for an inclusive municipality serving all residents without political discrimination, emphasizing that cooperation between the government, Parliament and local authorities could translate the projects into tangible achievements.
Daou concluded by reaffirming his commitment to pursuing the initiatives and promoting unity among Choueifat’s residents to advance the city’s development.
