Serbia's parliament has enacted a law that clears the path for a disputed property initiative led by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in the capital.
His firm Affinity Partners has sought to build a high-end hospitality venue and housing project on the premises of the former Yugoslav Army central command.
The destroyed edifice, which was struck by Nato military units in 1999 throughout its campaign to end the Serbian armed forces operation in Kosovo, holds significant meaning to many who view it as a monument and symbol of continuing resistance to the military alliance.
The Serbian Head of State Aleksandar Vucic, who has sought friendly relations with Trump, has backed the plans despite demonstrations and constitutional challenges.
Last year, the national administration revoked the structure of its conservation status and agreed a long-term contract with Kushner's company, which had set out blueprints for a $500m construction.
The decision triggered public gatherings and initiated an inquiry into whether a Serbian authority had falsified records utilized during the method to modify the structure's status.
In a interview earlier this year, Head of State Aleksandar Vucic defended the plan, stating "it's important to move past the weight from 1999".
He added: "We are prepared to build improved ties with the US – I consider that is exceptionally important for this country."
The delayed approval process reached a climax on Friday when the president's faction – which has a controlling in parliament – pushed ahead with a designated decision on clearing the location and prevailed.
Rival lawmakers have called the ruling illegal, including Aleksandar Jovanovic, who described it as a "crime", and declared the historic site would be substituted with "casinos and spas".
Meanwhile, liberal representative Marinika Tepic remarked the authorities was compromising the state's past "to appease the former president".
The enactment of the legislation has also been criticised by architectural professionals, and follows following an anti-corruption group, an integrity institution, raised concerns about government-supported developments.
Based on Serbian news coverage before his maiden presidential campaign, the former president in the past explored building a accommodation venue in Belgrade.
In March, the developer told reporters he was not aware of his relative's alleged previous interest.
The determination to enable progress for the construction occurs as Vucic's government aims to sustain favorable ties with both the United States and Russia.
The country has been influenced by each of Trump's economic policies and penalties on Moscow's interests in the state, including on its sole fuel processing plant, the majority Russian Federation-held Nafna Industrika Srbije (NIS).
