There was little interest to organize the next World Championship and this explains the approval of the Lebanese bid by 10 votes to 8 in the recent meeting of the CIMA (Microlights Commission of the FAI). The place will be Riyak, some 50 km from Beirut.
The decision has not lacked controversy due to the uncertain conditions of security in Lebanon, but on one hand it was the only candidate for the Paramotor Worlds and on the other the bid was strongly supported by France, as it would be on the same dates as the sport Games of the Francophone that will be celebrated in Lebanon.
The competition will be realised together with the ULMs classic classes’ world championships at the airport of Riyak, located in the valley of Beqaa, to the east of the country.
Regarding the security, the Government of the United Kingdom -through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website - advise “against all but essential travel to Lebanon”, and explains that there is a high threat from terrorism in Lebanon. “Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers”.
