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Khoury suggests committee to study heritage sites' conservation
Caretaker Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury Friday expressed his concern for the preservation of heritage buildings in a meeting with President Michel Aoun, calling for the formation of a new committee tasked with protecting the sites.
During the meeting held in Baabda Palace, Khoury said a pending draft law that would protect heritage sites is currently idle in Parliament.
The caretaker minister proposed forming a joint committee with representatives from the Public Works and Culture ministries, in addition to the Beirut governor and the municipal council, to study initiatives to preserve historic facades in the country.
Recently, the demolition of an uninhabited yellow 1930s French Mandate-era apartment block was halted by the Culture Ministry, after a video of the demolition’s commencement sparked outrage on social media.
Khoury additionally briefed Aoun on ongoing discussions regarding the open-ended formation of a new government, a presidential statement said.
Aoun separately met with caretaker Information Minister Melhem Riachi to discuss the Lebanese Forces’ stance on the new government.
Riachi also briefed Aoun on the ministry’s recent work, including the agreement reached with Sama Group - the sole provider of BeIN Sports in Lebanon - to air the World Cup live on state-run Tele Liban. The two discussed the technical and administrative procedures necessary for the broadcast.