Khalde

Khaldah (Arabic: خلدة) is a coastal town located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) south of Beirut, Lebanon. It is famous as a tourist destination in the summer, especially for its various beach resorts.

The southern portion of Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is located in Khaldah, in addition to a Lebanese Air Force base. Also, the motorway connecting Beirut and Southern Lebanon passes through Khaldah. The town itself lacks any form of urban planning, and in the past few years, most of the green areas have been replaced by commercial and apartment buildings. Some vegetables and citrus trees can still be seen growing in smaller and dispersed areas. As for industries, there are aluminum and glass factories in this area.

Schools and universities

Besides commerce and industries, Khaldah also houses educational institutions such as one University and two Schools.

History

Archeological excavations, now covered over, evidence that the site has been occupied since at least the beginning of the first millennium BC. A few kilometers south of Khaldah is Khan Khaldah, where a major Roman-Byzantine settlement once existed. Here, two 5th and 6th century AD Christian basilicas were found, one built over the other and both were paved with mosaics.

Another important landmark is the Dar Khaldah (or "Khaldah Palace"), which serves as the private residence of Druze Prince Talal Arslan from the leading Arslan family.

The highway to Beirut from the South at Khalde was the scene of an intense battle during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. When the Israeli army arrived on 11 June PLO fighters led by Abdullah Siyam fought a rearguard action which held up their progress towards Beirut for six days.[1]

During the civil war Khalde was used as an unregulated seaport run by Amal.[2]

See also

References
  1. Hirst, David (2010) Beware of Small States. Lebanon, battleground of the Middle East. Faber and Faber. ISBN 978-0-571-23741-8 p.141
  2. Middle East International No 346, 17 March 1989, Publishers Lord Mayhew, Dennis Walters MP; Jim Muir pp.6,7

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