Aoun Says Authorities Addressing Yammouneh, Aqoura Land Dispute

President Michel Aoun stressed on Monday that a land dispute between residents of the Yammouneh and Aqoura regions is being addressed, stressing that their residents have enjoyed “historic” brotherly relations.

“The land dispute between the two towns is being addressed,” the Lebanese Presidency quoted Aoun as saying.

He added that Yammouneh and Aqoura are both dear to his heart, “I consider them as one. Their people should be like one family because they have been as such throughout history and they should continue as such.”

Conflict emerged between residents of said towns over a land lot in Aqoura's mountainous outskirts.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi has on Sunday called for returning to “the ruling of the arbitration committee headed by Judge Abdo Abu Kheir, which on Nov. 16, 1936 issued a final ruling declaring this disputed land as part of the outskirts of the town of Aqoura.”

He said the ruling has been in effect for 82 years now “but the state's relevant authorities should anyway send specialized experts to highlight the borders that were delineated back then and put an end once and for all to this unjustified dispute,” the patriarch added.