Archaeological museums are a bit like buses, it seems.
Mahmoud decided to design a museum that would showcase the country's rich history, highlighting the successive civilizations to have ruled Beirut since the Bronze Age. Designs for the project, entitled the Museum of Civilizations, envisage a simple structure surrounding a dig in the center of Downtown Beirut.
The first step in choosing a site, Mahmoud said, is to confer with local archaeologists.
Looking over GM's designs, Noujaim noted that the idea resembles an old plan for an archaeological museum in Downtown Beirut, first proposed during Tamman Salam's term as Culture Minister (July 2008-November 2009).
Areiji was unaware of Mahmoud's design, he said, adding that construction on an unrelated archaeological museum in the Phoenician Tal area is set to begin in September.
In a subsequent interview, Mahmoud said he was unaware of the ministry project but that he intended to continue planning his Museum of Civilizations.
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