Khaberni - The controversy is escalating in Lebanon following the celebration held inside Jeita Grotto, after the spread of video clips documenting the event amidst a musical atmosphere and applause at the site, and activists considered it an infringement on a sensitive natural site that should be preserved in its privacy and delicate environment.
In the context of reactions, the media personality Nishan commented sharply, describing what happened as a "national farce," denying that the activity was a "wedding" in the traditional sense and considered it an unacceptable transgression against a site classified among the most prominent natural landmarks globally.
He said: "A site considered one of the wonders of the world has become a nightclub for one night because influence is stronger than the laws," and he directly questioned the Minister of Tourism: Where are you? Silence is complicity."
Nishan held the mayor of Jeita responsible for what happened, asking: Are you a guardian of the monument or a guardian of interests? He did not spare the management of the grotto from his criticism, considering that it allowed the sanctity of the place to be defiled and turned it into an underground dance club.
The origin of the story goes back to the spread of recorded clips from inside the grotto on social media, showing a large attendance amidst musical atmospheres and applause within the sensitive natural site.
Despite clarifications from the municipality, many saw that what happened violated the environmental standards within the grotto, condemning the allowance of strong lighting and loud noises at a time when visitors are usually prohibited from taking photos to preserve the natural formations.
Following the controversy, the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism announced that it would send an official warning letter to Jeita municipality, considering what happened a violation that requires accountability.
The statement from the Ministry said that the municipality organized the event without official approval or submitting a written request as required by the contracts, and did not share any financial details related to the event or the nature of the participating parties, and the Ministry confirmed its full responsibility in supervising the management and operation of the grotto, aiming to prevent any damage to this national landmark.
