ing a property in Beirut, founder Sir Rocco Forte has announced.

Speaking at Arabian Travel Market, Forte revealed that Beirut would hopefully open in 2014 and expressed his desire to grow the collection to 30 to 40 hotels.

The hotel group currently has 13 hotels across Europe but has plans to put 6 in the MENA region in the next three years.

Forte?gave few details on Beirut but the other MENA properties will be in Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Marrakech, Luxor and Cairo.

The Cairo property will be in the location of The Shepherd Hotel, which will close in July for two years refurbishment work.

Abu Dhabi will open later this year and the other three will open in 2013.

Marrakech will have 99 rooms and L