Lebanese Forces demand judicial council referral of Dahr el-Baidar explosives case
The Strong Republic parliamentary and ministerial bloc and the Lebanese Forces Executive Committee held a meeting chaired by party leader Samir Geagea to discuss recent developments, particularly the Dahr el-Baidar explosives case and Lebanon’s electricity crisis.
In a statement, participants called for the immediate referral of the explosives case to the Judicial Council, arguing that the quantity of explosives seized and Hezbollah’s acknowledgment of ownership warranted urgent judicial action.
They recalled the government’s March 2 decision banning Hezbollah’s military and security activities and requiring the group to surrender its weapons to the Lebanese state.
The participants argued that delaying referral pending further investigations was unjustified, warning that the case posed a threat to national security, Lebanese sovereignty and state authority.
Turning to the electricity sector, the bloc criticized delays by the government, particularly the Finance Ministry, in settling outstanding state payments to Électricité du Liban (EDL), warning that continued delays could lead to reduced electricity supply as winter approaches.
The statement acknowledged the Energy Minister’s efforts to increase electricity provision but stressed that improvements remained dependent on the Finance Ministry fulfilling the state’s financial obligations.
Participants urged the government to take immediate and decisive measures to settle these payments, warning that any resulting reduction in electricity supply would place responsibility for its consequences directly on the government.
They concluded by reaffirming that protecting citizens’ security and ensuring reliable electricity supply were fundamental state responsibilities, particularly amid Lebanon’s severe economic and living challenges.
