Caretaker Minister of Tourism, Walid Nassar, expected that ‘the municipal and mayoral elections will not be held on time next May,’ while noting at the same time that “this is a constitutional entitlement, and all such constitutional events must be held on time.” Nassar’s words came during a luncheon held in his honor by the Mayor of Blat, Mastita and Qartaboun, Abdo Al-Atiq, at the “Azurde” touristic resort in Laqlouq, Jbeil district, during which Nassar announced its inclusion on the tourism map and its promotion locally and internationally. Attending the luncheon event was MP Simon Abi Ramia, Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Corporation Head, Jean Gibran, and a number of mayors and municipal heads and dignitaries from the region. Marking the blessed Easter occasion, Nassar expressed his greetings to all the Lebanese, hoping that “Easter Day will bring a resurrection to our homeland,” indicating that “tourism in the past year proved to be the backbone of the Lebanese economy and the financial growth witnessed by Lebanon, as more than $9 billion entered the country via its tourism sector.” Pointing to the Ehmej-Laqlouq region, Nassar praised its touristic and rural environmental attributes, highlighting “the importance of partnership between the public and private sectors for the completion of many tourism projects.” In turn, Mayor Atiq commended “the role played by Minister Nassar in promoting tourism in Lebanon, especially rural and religious tourism,” declaring “the readiness of the private sector to cooperate for the good interest of Lebanon, especially the Jbeil district,’ noting that the Jbeil region is deprived of balanced development and must be given the needed attention. In appreciation of the Tourism Minister’s efforts, Mayor Atiq and municipal council members presented him with an honorary shield as a token of gratitude.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon