Lebanese Army Inspects Fanar Tunnel, Finds No Weapons or Arms
A tunnel discovered near Fanar in Northern Metn has been inspected by the Lebanese army; no weapons were found, though investigations into its purpose continue amid ongoing Hezbollah tensions.
What happened
Naharnet reports that specialized units of the Lebanese army examined a tunnel discovered Monday in the Northern Metn town of Fanar, near the mostly Shiite neighborhood of Zoaitriyeh. Army statements describe the tunnel as approximately 13 meters long (5 meters vertically, 8 horizontally) and confirm it contains no weapons or military equipment.
The army disclosed that individual digging holes were detected inside the tunnel and one suspect believed involved in its excavation was arrested while investigations continue to determine the tunnel’s intended use. The municipal chief of Fanar, Michel Salameh, told An-Nahar that the tunnel was dug in search of gold and denied any discovery of arms or narcotics, adding that the tunnel has no exit and municipal authorities plan to close it.
Reports state the tunnel’s entrance was found in a pine forest between Fanar and Zoaitriyeh after a passerby alerted municipal police. An unidentified individual fled the scene when security forces arrived, possibly the suspect detained by the army.
Known from the source
- Lebanese army inspected a roughly 13-meter tunnel in Fanar, Northern Metn.
- Army confirmed no weapons or military equipment found in the tunnel.
- One suspect was detained related to the tunnel excavation.
- Fanar municipal chief claimed the digging aimed to find gold.
- The tunnel reportedly has no exit and will be closed by the municipality.
What remains unclear
Hezbollah responded to the discovery by dismissing claims of militant use, stating the tunnel was for children’s play, even joking it might be for a future Zoaitriyeh-Fanar metro station. Given the sensitive nature of Hezbollah’s armed status in Lebanon, such claims and counterclaims remain under close scrutiny.
What remains unclear: Identify the arrested suspect and clarify their intent. Confirm no arms or narcotics were found beyond army statement. Verify Hezbollah’s claim about the tunnel’s purpose. Check for official Lebanese government or UNIFIL reactions.
Evidence note
Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.
Original source: Naharnet Lebanon. Open the source.
Outside Brief note: this story keeps the main source visible and separates what is reported from what remains unclear.