The Serbian legislative body has approved legislation that clears the path for a disputed real estate venture led by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in the capital.
His firm Affinity Partners has planned to develop a high-end hotel and residential project on the premises of the former Yugoslav Army central command.
The destroyed edifice, which was targeted by Nato military units in 1999 amid its intervention to end the Serbian armed forces operation in Kosovo, holds emotional meaning to many who see it as a reminder and representation of ongoing objection to the military alliance.
The Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has pursued friendly relations with the former president, has backed the proposal notwithstanding demonstrations and constitutional challenges.
Previously, the Serbian authorities stripped the property of its protected designation and approved a long-term lease with the developer's company, which had presented plans for a $500m development.
The decision sparked demonstrations and initiated an investigation into whether a national government representative had manipulated documentation used during the method to alter the building's classification.
During a interview recently, Head of State Aleksandar Vucic defended the proposal, stating "it's important to overcome the weight from 1999".
He elaborated: "We are prepared to establish improved ties with the United States – I think that is exceptionally significant for this country."
The stalled development process came to a head on Friday when the president's faction – which has a controlling in the assembly – proceeded with a specific decision on preparing the location and succeeded.
Opposition representatives have labelled the ruling illegal, among them Aleksandar Jovanovic, who characterized it as a "violation", and stated the landmark would be replaced with "gambling venues and Jacuzzis".
Meanwhile, liberal parliament member Marinika Tepic commented the administration was sacrificing the state's past "to appease the former president".
The passage of the law has also been questioned by design specialists, and follows following an anti-corruption group, an integrity organisation, expressed apprehensions about state-backed initiatives.
Based on national media coverage pre-dating his initial election bid, Trump earlier considered building a hotel in Belgrade.
Earlier this year, Kushner stated journalists he was uninformed of his relative's alleged earlier consideration.
The decision to clear the way for the development arrives as the president's government seeks to maintain positive relations with the two the United States and Moscow.
The country has been influenced by each of the former president's trade measures and penalties on Moscow's assets in the nation, including on its sole fuel processing plant, the mainly Russian Federation-held Nafna Industrika Srbije (NIS).
