Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012
BEIRUT (Zawya Dow Jones)--Lebanon has launched the Litani river water project that has been on hold for nearly 60 years due to political disagreement and ongoing instability, Kuwait-based Al Rai daily reports Wednesday.
The project's first phase is expected to cost about $330 million and is divided into two parts, the paper reports, adding that the first part's cost totals $200 million, 80% of which will be financed by Kuwait through the Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development, and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.
The project aims to transport about 110 million cubic meters of water annually from the local Qaraoun dam to southern Lebanon, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, said during the launch ceremony, according to the paper.
About 20 million cubic meters will be used as additional drinking water source for about 100 towns and villages, while the remaining 90 million cubic meters will be allocated for the irrigation of about 15,000 hectares of agricultural land, he added.
Newspaper website: http://www.alraimedia.com/Article.aspx?id=322506&date=18012012
-By Beirut Bureau, Zawya Dow Jones; +961-1-985 757; BeirutZDJ@zawya.com
Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Co.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
18-01-12 0638GMT
