Weapon depot explosion: Sabotage is plausible, experts say
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LBCI
2 hours ago
- LBCI
Lebanese Army losses unexplained: South Lebanon blasts deepen mystery over munitions clearance
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Over the past eight months, the Lebanese Army, working in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the international ceasefire mechanism, has taken control of more than 500 sites linked to Hezbollah, dismantled weapons, and transported munitions. Three separate explosions during these operations have killed or wounded soldiers, the latest occurring days ago in Wadi Zibqin. On April 20, 2025, a blast along the Braikeh road in Nabatieh killed an officer and two soldiers when munitions being transported by an army vehicle detonated. Investigators have not reached a definitive conclusion on the cause, though early findings indicate the extreme sensitivity of handling such explosives. In Wadi Aaziyyeh, another explosion killed one soldier and injured three during an army engineering sweep of a Hezbollah facility resembling the one recently hit in Zibqin. According to a previous army statement, the blast occurred when a soldier opened an ammunition box containing a suspicious object. Investigators have considered the possibility of a booby trap but have not determined whether it was planted by Hezbollah or by Israeli forces in the context of their ongoing conflict. The booby-trap theory is also being examined in the Wadi Zibqin explosion, though it remains unclear whether it was planted earlier by Hezbollah to deter Israeli incursions, or by Israel itself during military operations or through security breaches. Final conclusions are pending a report from French military experts who inspected the site, as well as the recovery of an injured soldier who was with the unit when the blast occurred. Notably, the only two facilities where such fatal explosions have occurred, in Aaziyyeh and Zibqin, are located close to each other. While sabotage remains a leading theory, investigators are not ruling out human or technical error until the probe is complete. The army also noted that in more than 500 previous dismantling missions, no booby-trapped munitions were found. UNIFIL, including its French contingent, has handed over similar sites to the army in the past without incident.
L'Orient-Le Jour
12 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Aoun: 'Some are paid to destroy the country... These people are the antithesis of the state'
BEIRUT — President Joseph Aoun met with a delegation of youth from the Maronite Foundation in the World on Tuesday to discuss his efforts to establish trust between the state and Lebanese at home as well as the millions of Lebanese abroad, whom he has said on several occasions he is trying to convince to return to or invest in Lebanon. However, he also said during the meeting that "some are paid to destroy Lebanon," though he didn't specify who exactly he was criticizing. "These people are the antithesis of the state: if the state rises, they will disappear," he asserted, according to a statement released by the presidency on its official X account. The president and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are currently struggling to negotiate with Hezbollah over its arsenal, which Cabinet has decided to dismantle by the end of the year. However, this topic was reportedly not explicitly mentioned during the meeting. Aoun told the Maronite Foundation delegation that no one "enjoys immunity when it comes to the fight against corruption," insisting that "all taboos have collapsed on this subject and the decision has been made." Aoun also praised the role of the Lebanese diaspora around the world. "If you look at countries of emigration, from Brazil to Australia, including Africa, you rarely see a major project without a Lebanese imprint," he said. "If you look from 2019 until today, we have seen — and continue to see — how Lebanese people across the world mobilize with one voice to help their loved ones here. The figures speak for themselves in this regard." Lebanon's diaspora, which outnumbers its own residents, plays a significant role, supporting the economy through remittances sent to relatives back home. A stream of crises and conflicts have sent wave after wave of Lebanese abroad and the country suffers from the strain of losing much of its skilled workforce. "Lebanon needs you, just as you need it," Aoun said. "And it is our duty to give you back what you are owed." Many members of the diaspora no longer have access to their savings, which have been stuck in Lebanese banks since the beginning of the economic crisis in 2019. The diaspora is also the subject of a debate surrounding the electoral laws ahead of the 2026 legislative election. While some, including Hezbollah, want the creation of a district with six deputies for the diaspora, the opposing camp wants Lebanese abroad to continue voting in their home districts. Aoun, for his part, remains outside this debate. "Our goal is to get the state back on track," Aoun said. "Today, some positive indicators are beginning to appear, even though many steps remain to be taken to guarantee you a safe and stable environment that will make it easier for you to return to Lebanon and invest in the country."
L'Orient-Le Jour
12 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Haidar tells Berri all Shiite ministers will attend Wednesday's Cabinet meeting
BEIRUT — Following last week's walkout by all of Cabinet's Shiite ministers, Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday to assure him that all said ministers would be in attendance at Wednesday's Cabinet meeting. Ministers Tamara Elzein (Amal), Mohammad Haidar (Hezbollah), and Rakan Nassereddine (Hezbollah) followed by Shiite minister Fadi Makki (not affiliated with either party), walked out of Thursday's meeting during which Cabinet discussed a U.S. plan for Hezbollah's disarmament. Following their exit, Cabinet adopted the plan, a decision which the party immediately announced its categorical rejection of. Minister Yassine Jaber (Amal), who was not in attendance at the meeting, is the fifth minister who Haidar confirmed would be present on Wednesday, quelling any concern that the ministers would quit government over the issue. Haidar also updated Berri on his talks last week with the Iraqi government, telling him that Iraq would be send 50,000 tons of wheat by ship as part of a 300,000-ton wheat donation for Lebanon. Berri and Haidar also agreed steps would be taken to resolve the problems recently faced by Lebanese contractors in Iraq. Berri also reviewed the security situation with army chief Gen. Rodolphe Haykal. The army is expected to present a plan for the disarmament of militias to Cabinet before the end of August.
