Under Cover Of Land Reclamation… Quarries Destroys Aqoura’s Mountains

Terre Liban has reported rock extraction and cutting above Ain al-Labneh in Aqoura, at an altitude of around 1,900 metres, under the guise of “land reclamation and planting fruit trees.” The area contains ancient juniper trees and groundwater that feeds local springs.

The association investigated after hikers spotted bulldozers, heavy machinery and rock-cutting equipment. It identified suspected illegal quarrying and said some machinery had been sealed by authorities, amid reports that rocks were still being transported at night despite a stop-work order.

Terre Liban filed a formal complaint with the Internal Security Forces, calling for the work to stop, permits to be checked and those responsible for any violations to be held accountable.

The case highlights Lebanon’s longstanding quarrying problem, where weak oversight and a lack of accountability leave mountains and natural landscapes exposed to destruction. The state must enforce the law and protect these areas before the damage becomes irreversible.