Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam vowed to pursue everyone involved in the explosives shipment seized at the Dahr al-Baydar checkpoint, stressing that the state would «deal firmly with any weapons outside its framework», as security and judicial investigations continue to establish the source of the materials, the party due to receive them and the purpose of transporting them towards Beirut.
Salam vows to pursue those involved
We will pursue everyone involved in the seized explosives shipment
The Internal Security Forces detained two people in a car travelling from the Bekaa region towards Beirut on Thursday afternoon, after it aroused suspicion and was searched at the Dahr al-Baydar checkpoint. The operation resulted in the seizure of 500 kilograms of highly explosive materials, comprising 250 kilograms of TNT and 250 kilograms of C-4.
Detainees and explosives referred for investigation
The two detainees and the seized materials were referred to the military police of the Lebanese Army for further investigation under the supervision of the competent judiciary. A judicial source said one of the detainees was the son of a Hezbollah official, while the other detainee was also suspected of belonging to the group, suggesting that the seized materials may be linked to it, without judicially determining their final destination or responsibility for them.
Meanwhile, reports in circulation said the shipment had originated in Baalbek and was headed for Beirut’s southern suburbs, and that the handover was supposed to take place through people using aliases. However, these details are still being examined, amid conflicting accounts of what was contained in the detainees’ statements and the source of the explosives.
Investigation widened to establish transport chain
Claude Ghanem, the government commissioner to the Military Court, returned the investigation records to the military police, requesting that questioning be expanded, statements scrutinised and information gathered about other people suspected of involvement in the case. The investigation is focused on establishing the chain of handovers, the source of the two explosive materials and the party that organised the transport operation.
For his part, Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar said that «the investigation into the seized explosives, and everything arising from it, will continue to the end». He added that disarming illegal groups, combating terrorism and pursuing those who break the law represented an irreversible course.
Salam and Nassar’s statements form part of a policy announced by the Lebanese government to place weapons under state control. The Cabinet decided on 2 March 2026 to ban Hezbollah’s security and military activities, oblige it to hand over its weapons to the state and restrict its work to the political sphere within constitutional and legal frameworks.
The Cabinet at the time asked the military and security agencies to take immediate measures to prevent any military operations or the launching of rockets or drones from Lebanese territory outside official institutions, and to detain violators in accordance with the laws in force.
It also tasked the army command with immediately implementing its plan to place weapons under state control north of the Litani River.
