Judiciary widens probe into seized explosives as Baalbeck protests checks

Lebanese judicial authorities have widened their investigation into the explosives seized on 5 October at the Dahr el-Baydar checkpoint, according to Asharq Al-Awsat, aiming to establish the shipment's origin, intended recipients and purpose.

Security forces seized about 300 kilograms of explosives and arrested two people, L'Orient Today reported. A military source said the men belonged to Hezbollah; a Hezbollah source and two security sources could not confirm this to that outlet, while Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said the explosives were the party's and demanded their return.

Al Jazeera reported division at home over the question, and a protest in Baalbeck targeted surveillance cameras and truck inspections at the checkpoint. A claim that cameras were sabotaged to ease smuggling comes from a single social-media post and is unconfirmed.

Lebanese Lobby backs the judiciary and the army: weapons and explosives outside state control threaten every Lebanese, and the evidence belongs with the courts, not with any party.