Rami Labban

His Excellency Mr. Nabih Berri Speaker of Parliament Subject: Parliamentary question addressed to the Government concerning the explosives seized in the Dahr al-Baydar area Pursuant to Article 124 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, we hereby submit the attached parliamentary question to the Government and request that it be forwarded to His Excellency the Prime Minister for a response within the prescribed legal time limit and in accordance with the applicable procedures. Please accept the assurances of our highest consideration. Fouad Mostafa Makhzoumi Member of Parliament Beirut, 12 October 2026 His Excellency Judge Nawaf Salam Prime Minister Subject: Parliamentary question concerning the explosives seized in the Dahr al-Baydar area, the ongoing investigations, potential responsibilities, and the measures taken by the Government Your Excellency, Whereas several media outlets have reported the seizure of large quantities of explosives in the Dahr al-Baydar area and the arrest of two individuals in connection with the case, amid reports and suspicions of possible links between the two detainees, or the transportation of the explosives, and Hezbollah; Whereas published reports indicate that the Internal Security Forces carried out the seizure and arrests, and that the two detainees were handed over to the Military Police for further investigation under the supervision of the military judiciary, while reports concerning the quantity, types, source and destination of the explosives, and the parties responsible for them, remain inconsistent and have not been officially clarified; Whereas the Minister of Justice, Judge Adel Nassar, stated on 10 October 2026 that eliminating illegal weapons, combating terrorism and pursuing those who break the law constitute an irreversible course of action, affirming that the investigation into the seized explosives and all matters arising from it would be pursued to its conclusion; Whereas this official position must be accompanied by clear security and administrative measures and full cooperation with the competent judicial authorities, ensuring that all circumstances surrounding the case are uncovered and potential responsibilities are established at every level; Whereas referring the two detainees to the competent judicial authorities, although important, does not necessarily mean that the investigation is complete or that all responsibilities have been established, particularly if other parties supplied or stored the explosives, financed or organised their transportation, or issued the relevant orders; Whereas transporting large quantities of explosive materials outside the legal framework and without the oversight of the competent authorities, if established, constitutes a direct threat to national security and public safety, and raises serious questions about the effectiveness of security controls over the movement of weapons, ammunition and explosives within Lebanese territory; Whereas the principle of the State’s exclusive authority over arms and the extension of its authority throughout its territory require that no party, regardless of its status or affiliation, be permitted to transport, store or otherwise handle explosives outside the framework permitted by law; Whereas the Government’s responsibility extends beyond following up on security procedures to addressing potential shortcomings, taking the necessary preventive measures, and ensuring that the agencies and administrations under its authority cooperate with the competent judicial authorities to prevent such incidents from recurring; Whereas respect for judicial independence and the confidentiality of investigations does not preclude Parliament from exercising its oversight powers and holding the Government accountable for the measures taken within its constitutional and legal authority; We therefore address the following questions to the Government: I. Official facts and the nature of the seized explosives What are the official facts concerning the seizure of explosives in the Dahr al-Baydar area? When and under what circumstances did the operation take place, and which security agencies carried it out? What were the exact quantities of explosives seized, their types, technical characteristics and degree of danger? Were any other materials, equipment, documents or military supplies seized alongside them? How does the Government explain the substantial discrepancies in media reports concerning the quantities and types of materials seized? Do the competent authorities intend to issue an official clarification to resolve these conflicting accounts, to the extent permitted by the requirements of the investigation? II. The source, transportation route and destination of the explosives What information have the competent security agencies obtained regarding the source of the explosives, where they were stored and loaded, the route they travelled and their intended destination? Has any information emerged concerning the purpose of transporting these materials and the identities of the individuals or parties that supplied them, organised or financed their transportation, or issued the relevant orders? Has the identity of the intended recipient of these explosives been verified, along with their potential intended use? III. Suspected links to Hezbollah and other potentially involved parties What is the truth behind the reports suggesting possible links between the two detainees, or the transportation of the explosives, and Hezbollah? Do the competent security agencies possess information or evidence supporting or refuting these suspicions? What measures have been taken to verify them and submit any available evidence to the competent judicial authorities? Do the investigations examine the possibility that organisational structures, leadership figures or financing entities were behind the operation, rather than limiting the inquiry into potential responsibility to those who directly transported the explosives? IV. Judicial investigations and measures taken concerning the two detainees Does the Government confirm that the two detainees were handed over to the Military Police and that the investigations are continuing under the supervision of the military judiciary? What measures have the relevant security agencies taken since the explosives were seized? What information can the Government provide regarding the procedural status of the two detainees without compromising judicial independence or the confidentiality of the investigations? Have the competent agencies obtained information suggesting that other individuals may have participated in planning, carrying out or facilitating the operation, and has that information been referred to the competent judicial authorities? What measures have been taken to ensure the preservation and integrity of the seized materials and evidence? V. Prior knowledge by official authorities and oversight of the transportation of explosives Did any official body or security agency have prior knowledge of the transportation of this quantity of explosives? Was the transportation carried out under any lawful permit or authorisation issued by the competent authorities? If it is established that the transportation took place without lawful authorisation, what measures has the Government taken to identify and address the security or administrative shortcomings that allowed it to occur, and to hold those responsible accountable where appropriate? Have any failures or deficiencies been identified in the mechanisms governing oversight of the movement of explosive materials between Lebanese regions? VI. The possible existence of other networks or storage facilities Have the competent security agencies, in coordination with the judiciary and in accordance with legal procedures, begun examining whether the seized explosives may be linked to other storage facilities, previous transportation operations or organised networks operating beyond State oversight? Have proactive security measures been taken to identify potential risks to public safety and detect any similar materials that may be stored or circulated unlawfully? What measures does the Government intend to take to strengthen oversight of the transportation of explosive materials and prevent such operations from recurring? VII. The Minister of Justice’s statement and the commitment to completing the investigations In light of the statement made by the Minister of Justice, Judge Adel Nassar, on 10 October 2026 that the investigation into the seized explosives and all matters arising from it would be pursued to its conclusion, what practical measures has the Government taken, within its authority, to ensure that all relevant agencies and administrations cooperate with the competent judicial authorities? Does this cooperation include providing all available information concerning the source of the explosives and the parties that may have financed, organised, ordered or facilitated the operation? What measures have been taken to prevent any political or security interference or pressure that could obstruct the work of the competent agencies or withhold information and evidence from the judiciary? Does the Government commit to referring any incidents involving attempted interference, concealment of evidence or protection of those implicated to the competent judicial authorities, regardless of the status or affiliations of the individuals concerned? VIII. The Government’s responsibility for ensuring the State’s exclusive authority over arms and enforcing State authority What practical measures has the Government taken, or does it intend to take, to ensure that no armed group or organisation outside legitimate State institutions transports, stores or otherwise handles explosives beyond State oversight? How do the Government’s actions in this case align with its commitment to the State’s exclusive authority over arms, the extension of its authority throughout Lebanese territory, and the reservation of security and military decisions exclusively to the competent constitutional and legitimate institutions? Does the Government intend to take additional measures to ensure that the movement of weapons, ammunition and explosives is subject to oversight by the competent authorities, and that the law is applied to all parties without exception? IX. Potential responsibilities and the need to look beyond the direct perpetrators What measures has the Government taken, within its legal authority, to ensure that the competent agencies cooperate with the judiciary in uncovering all potential responsibilities, and that information gathering and inquiries are not confined to the individuals found in possession of the explosives? Does the Government affirm its commitment not to provide political or administrative protection to any individual or party whose involvement is established, and to take the measures required by law within its jurisdiction, regardless of the status or affiliations of those concerned? X. Transparency, follow-up and parliamentary accountability Does the Government commit to providing Parliament, through its Speaker, with a detailed written report setting out the verified official facts, the security and administrative measures taken, the preventive measures adopted, and any information concerning the case that may lawfully be disclosed? Does it commit to keeping Parliament informed of material developments falling within its responsibility, and to making public those facts that may lawfully be published, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability while respecting judicial independence and the confidentiality of investigations in accordance with the law? Accordingly, We request that this question be referred to the Government for a written response within the time limit and in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Parliament’s Rules of Procedure. We reserve the right to exercise all available constitutional and legal oversight mechanisms, including converting this question into a formal interpellation in accordance with the applicable procedures, should clear and sufficient answers not be provided. The seriousness of this case extends beyond the quantity of explosives seized. It raises fundamental questions about their source and destination, the parties behind them, and the State’s ability to exercise control over the movement of weapons and explosives within its territory. While affirming the importance of completing the judicial investigations with full independence, we emphasise that referring the two detainees to the judiciary does not relieve the Government of its responsibility to take the necessary security and preventive measures. Nor does it remove the need to uncover all potential responsibilities, rather than stopping at the direct perpetrators if the involvement of other parties behind the operation is established. The security and safety of the Lebanese people are a red line. No party, regardless of its status or affiliation, may stand above the law or beyond State oversight. No weapons, explosives or security decisions may remain outside the authority of the State and its legitimate institutions. Establishing the full truth and holding everyone whose responsibility is proven accountable in accordance with the law constitute a national duty and an institutional responsibility that must neither be neglected nor subjected to political considerations. Please accept the assurances of our highest consideration. Fouad Mostafa Makhzoumi Member of Parliament