From Al-Watiya to Al-Mtoll
Etymology
In the past, Al-Watiya was a neighborhood located at the lower end of the town of Bakhoun, and extending slightly towards the town of Ouyoun Samak. Hence, whoever wished to visit the neighborhood would say that they were heading towards the ‘low neighborhood’ or ‘Hayy al-Watiya’. As the neighborhood expanded and overlapped with the town, it ended up becoming a separate town keeping the previous name of the neighborhood.
Location
Al-Watiya is located in the Qada’a of Dennieh, at an altitude of 450 meters above the sea level. It lies 100 kilometers from Beirut and stretches across a small area of 125 hectares. The town can be reached through the following route: from Tripoli to Meryata, and then to Al-Watiya.
Population
The population registered in the personal status records of Al-Watiya is estimated at 700, of whom 550 live in the town and are distributed across its 120 houses. Residents of Al-Watiya belong to the Sunni community.
Voters
Registered voters amounted to 410 in 2014 compared to 265 in 2000, when 199 of the eligible voters exercised their voting rights. In 2009, the number of voters was 281.
Voters are distributed among the following families:
- Tlais: 240 - Warwar: 115
- Hamdan: 37 - Taleb: 8
- Qamaredine: 6 - Hussein: 4
Local authorities
The town does not have a municipal council and the local authority is vested in the Mukhtar and the 3-member Ikhtiyariah body.Educational institutions
Al-Watiya Official Elementary School is the only school in the town. Its student population is estimated at 150 and most of its teachers work on an hourly paid basis, which sometimes undermines the level of education.Problems
The lack of employment opportunities is the main obstacle facing the young in Al-Watiya. Unemployment, coupled with the high illiteracy rates in the town, results in several social and economic dilemmas.Al-Watiya becomes Al-Mtoll
Motivated by their resentment towards the name of their hometown, residents approached the government authorities urging them to refer a decree to Parliament requesting the amendment of the name. Their demand was met in July 2012 when Parliament approved Law no. 232 dated October 22, 2012, which changed the name from Al-Watiya to Al-Mtoll. 
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