MP Salim Sayegh on Thursday said he had submitted multiple formal requests to the previous government through the Ministry of Public Works to revive the airport and other regional facilities, citing the deteriorating socio-economic situation and growing hardship in Akkar and the broader northern region.

“The current government has finally placed the matter on the right track,” he said in an interview on Voice of Lebanon radio. “I met with the Minister of Public Works three weeks ago, and this issue was at the top of our discussions. I sensed clear goodwill.”

Sayegh said the minister favors a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, which he described as the “simplest and most secure option” under existing legal frameworks, especially given Lebanon’s legislative gridlock.

“It would also help save time and avoid the kind of political horse-trading that so often derails essential projects in our country,” he added.

According to Sayegh, the government has requested a feasibility study to be completed within two months. While he welcomed the move, he stressed the urgency of the matter.

“Anyone looking at the miserable state of the capital, the difficulty of accessing it, and the devastating conditions in Akkar and the north will see how badly we need this vital project,” he said. “This airport could serve nearly half the population of Lebanon.”

Qlayaat Airport, also known as René Mouawad Air Base, has long been eyed for civilian use but remains idle. Supporters of its revival argue that it could relieve pressure on Beirut’s congested airport and unlock economic potential in the underserved north.

“This facility could offer a major lifeline to the entire country,” Sayegh said. “The economic and social value is undeniable, particularly in terms of development and eliminating poverty hotspots.”

Citing studies from both the Lebanese government and the World Bank, Sayegh noted that the region around Qlayaat ranks as the most impoverished in Lebanon.

“That alone should be enough to compel urgent investment. We need to launch projects that serve as economic and social engines for everyone, not just Beirut,” he added.

In response to critics who previously accused him of advocating for the project as a step toward federalism or regional partition, Sayegh rejected the notion outright.

“Our goal is exactly the opposite as we’re seeking to restore real national unity by narrowing the socio-economic divide between wealthy and struggling regions,” he said. “When people feel that their area is being developed and their future valued, they are more deeply committed to the state.”

Sayegh called on the government to stop hesitating and move forward decisively.

“Enough with excessive caution. Don’t allow obstruction and delay to derail the prime minister’s promising momentum,” he said. “Time is running out, poverty is spreading, and emigration is rising.”

He concluded by expressing full support for the Minister of Public Works and the Prime Minister, urging both to “stay the course and strengthen their resolve.”

“Lebanon doesn’t have the luxury of waiting anymore,” he said. “The Qlayaat Airport is not just a project, it’s a necessity.”