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Lebanon: judicial handling of the Dahr al-Baidar explosives case

This dossier follows the debate over judicial handling of the Dahr al-Baidar explosives case and its effects on the functioning of Lebanon's government.

Last updated : 2 key moments
Lebanese flag in November 2025. Archive image; it does not show the judicial proceedings.
Lebanese flag in November 2025. Archive image; it does not show the judicial proceedings. — TorbeyCharbel / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ; 20 novembre 2025, sans modification.

Where things stand

As of 30 October 2026, Judge Claude Ghanem has initiated proceedings against thirteen people in the Dahr al-Baidar explosives case, according to judicial reporting. Their guilt has not been established by a judgment.

Reported information

Lebanon: 13 face prosecution in Dahr al-Baidar explosives case

Judge Claude Ghanem initiated proceedings on 30 October 2026 against thirteen people over their alleged involvement in transporting explosives seized at Dahr al-Baidar, L’Orient-Le Jour reported, citing a judicial source. Several are described as Hezbollah members.

Lebanese flag in November 2025. Archive image; it does not show the judicial proceedings.
Lebanese flag in November 2025. Archive image; it does not show the judicial proceedings. — TorbeyCharbel / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ; 20 novembre 2025, sans modification.

The allegations include membership of armed groups without state authorisation and possession of weapons and explosives. Lebanon’s National News Agency, cited by Arabic-language reporting, also reported the proceedings. This is a procedural step, with no judgment establishing the defendants’ guilt.

The seizure has fuelled a government dispute over which court should handle the case. The new proceedings do not in themselves establish the explosives’ final destination or intended use.

Sources 2
Reported information

Lebanon: four ministers boycott cabinet over explosives case dispute

Four Lebanese Forces ministers boycotted Lebanon's cabinet meeting on 29 October 2026 to protest delays in referring the Dahr al-Baidar explosives case to the Judicial Council.

Lebanese flag in November 2025. Archive illustration; this image does not show the cabinet meeting.
Lebanese flag in November 2025. Archive illustration; this image does not show the cabinet meeting. — TorbeyCharbel / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ; 20 novembre 2025, sans modification.

The dispute concerns the decision to refer the case to that court. After the meeting, Information Minister Paul Morcos said the justice minister had raised the issue but the session was devoted to waste management.

According to Morcos, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed that the case remained under review and a decision would depend on the investigation's progress. Those statements are neither a referral decision nor a judgment on the criminal responsibility of those involved.

Sources 4