Washington

THE US Army will grant the final permit for the controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline after an order from President Donald Trump to expedite the project despite opposition from Native American tribes and climate activists.

In a court filing on Tuesday, the Army said it would allow the final section of the line to tunnel under North Dakota's Lake Oahe, which is part of the Missouri River system. This could enable the US$3.8 billion pipeline to begin operation as soon as June.