Gold or Hezbollah arms? What was found in Fanar tunnel?
A small tunnel found Monday in the Northern Metn town of Fanar, near the pre-dominantly Shiite neighborhood of Zoaitriyeh, has sparked fresh controversy in the country amid tensions over Hezbollah and its weapons.
“Specialized army units conducted an inspection of the tunnel found in the Fanar area, Northern Metn. It was revealed that its total length is approximately 13 meters (5 meters vertically and 8 meters horizontally) and that it contains no weapons or military equipment,” the army said in a statement.
“Several individual digging holes were found inside the tunnel, and one suspect involved in its excavation was detained. Investigations are ongoing to determine its intended purpose,” the army added.
Fanar municipal chief Michel Salameh meanwhile reassured residents, in remarks to An-Nahar newspaper, noting that “the digging works were aimed at searching for gold” and denying the presence of any arms or narcotics at the site.
Adding that the “tunnel” had no exit, Salameh said the municipality will close the pit.
Media reports had said that the tunnel was discovered in a pine forest between Fanar and Zoaitrieh in the Metn.
The reports said the tunnel’s entrance was discovered by a person passing in the forest, who reported it to municipal police. The reports also said that an unidentified individual fled the scene upon the arrival of security personnel, who could possibly be the suspect who was eventually arrested.
Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel had earlier said that he contacted Defense Minister Michel Menassa and requested that the army and security forces conduct a comprehensive sweep of the Rweissat-Jdeideh area and its surroundings.
“A tunnel in Metn, an explosives shipment in Dahr al-Baidar, and a standoff with security forces in Dahieh. These are dangerous indicators that necessitate putting a definitive end to the duplicity of arms and the military organization of Hezbollah across all Lebanese territory," Gemayel wrote on X.
He concluded: "The continued operation of illegal weapons and Hezbollah's military and security structure poses an imminent danger, and the state must take decisive action to safeguard Lebanon."
Source: Naharnet
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