Byblos souks renovated

Sports complex opening by end of year

The renovated western side of the commercial souks in Byblos will be inaugurated on August 29. For the past year, works were underway to restore the souks’ traditional yellow-stoned buildings.

Ziad Hawat, Byblos Mayor, said this phase of the renovation cost $3 million, and was funded by Byblos Bank. The eastern part of the souks will be renovated in a second phase.

The souk streets stretch over around 700 meters and include different retail stores, cafés, and restaurants.

Hawat said that Byblos is currently booming after it was named the best tourist city in the Arab World by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). “Despite the economic and touristic slowdown the country is facing, we are doing great. The new souks will also help Byblos become a real commercial center.”

The Byblos Municipality will also be inaugurating a $3 million sports complex on the eve of 2014, funded by billionaire Carlos Slim, of Lebanese origin, and the Alphabet Museum.