Save Beirut Heritage is calling for a sit in on Sunday May 1st at 12 noon 

at the previous location of
Cinema Vendome, Mar Mikhael Street.

see pictures
To whom it may concern,
We want to report an abomination that happened in the recent days.

For Arabic, read this: http://www.al-akhbar.com/?q=node%2F10615

HAR properties managed to obtain an permit of demolition for 3 significant heritage buildings in Mar Mikhayel near the previous cinema Vendome Cinema in order to make space for a 30 story tower called AYA tower (Plot Beirut 663).
The only compromise was to keep the facades; this is unacceptable.
Furthermore, these permits were obtained through political coercion and gross abuse of power by the owners of the plots; namely Mr. Fahed Rafic Hariri, Mr. Michel Pharaon, Mr. Antoine Samaha and Mr. Fouad Zeidan.

You will find attached photos of the recently demolished buildings, feel free to use them in your respective publications.

The buildings demolished had been previously classified as architecturally significant by a committee designated by the Ministry of Culture. This same committee resigned once Minister Salim Wardeh succumbed to political pressure and overturned their decision to preserve the buildings. He granted demolition permits.

In the same breath, three more significant buildings were granted permits and are in imminent danger:

1 -  A gorgeous building that is owned by Mr. Michel Pharaon in Achrafieh will be demolished so that he could build parking space and raise it by 3 stories.

2 - Sodeco Plot 5, owner by Mr. Michel Pharaon and Mr. Samaha: A beautiful traditional house.

3 - Abdallah Al Yafi's Villa that will be demolished to be 'reconstructed' as part of a 30 floor tower.

We are calling you, our friends in the media to help us spread the word.
This goes way beyond political feuds and concerns us all all as Lebanese.
This can truly be the beginning of the end of our traditional architecture.
We need your urgent support.
Thank you.

FOR ANY INQUIRIES PLEASE CALL NAJI OR GIORGIO AT ANY TIME ON:
03572962
03716219
71319167
71011310

Save Beirut Heritage is calling for a sit in on Sunday May 1st at 12 noon at the previous location of Cinema Vendome, Mar Mikhael Street.

Further information:
The founder of HAR properties is Mr. Fahed Rafic Hariri and this is the link to the website: http://har-properties.com
And on this link notice the irony in "A solution to preserve Beirut's architectural heritage" : http://www.aya-beirut.com/ 
Mr. Fahed claims that he studied architecture and design in Paris, one can only wonder if this project would be allowed in Paris or in any other place that respects its architectural heritage .

Mr. Michel Pharaon's contact information from his website:
Address: Imm. Abou Chalach, Rue Elias Basil, Sioufi-Achrafieh
Phone: 01-329000
Hotline: 70-681843

--
Naji Raji
Save Beirut Heritage
Hotline : 71319167