A dispute over a monk seal cave in Amchit, Lebanon. Jamie Prentis / The National
A dispute over a monk seal cave in Amchit, Lebanon. Jamie Prentis / The National
A dispute over a monk seal cave in Amchit, Lebanon. Jamie Prentis / The National
A dispute over a monk seal cave in Amchit, Lebanon. Jamie Prentis / The National

Lebanese judge summons opponents of construction at breeding site for endangered seals


Jamie Prentis
  • English
  • Arabic

Two Lebanese environmental campaigners who seek to block the construction of a villa above a breeding site for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal have been summoned for questioning by a judge following a complaint by the owner of the land.

Paul Abi Rached, president of the NGO Terre Liban, who was summoned along with architect and activist Farid Abi Younes, will be questioned by a judge at the Criminal Investigations Department at the Ministry of Justice in Beirut at noon on Monday.

Both men have frequently demonstrated at the construction site overlooking the Mediterranean in Amchit, about 40 kilometres north of Beirut.

Mr Abi Rached was critical of officials for summoning the activists “instead of stopping” the construction of the villa.

“We are more powerful with all the truth we have in our hands. They violated the law and it's so clear,” he told The National.

A dispute over a monk seal cave in Amchit, Lebanon. Jamie Prentis / The National
A dispute over a monk seal cave in Amchit, Lebanon. Jamie Prentis / The National

“But, you know, it's Lebanon so it's an adventure really. We don't know what will happen.”

The Lebanese judicial system has long been seen as politically influenced. There have been recent efforts to correct this, including through a judicial independence law.

“At a time when calls continue to intensify for the protection of the Amchit monk seal cave and for holding those who violate environmental and urban planning laws accountable, it appears that the compass has shifted in the opposite direction,” said Terre Liban in a statement following the summons.

“The fact that activists are being summoned, instead of swiftly addressing the documented violations above the cave, raises legitimate questions among the public about the direction in which matters are heading.”

The Amchit cave is Lebanon’s best-known breeding site for the Mediterranean monk seal.

Environmentalists say the villa, which would extend three floors down, would jeopardise and pollute the cave. They are demanding an environmental impact assessment – which has also been ordered by the Ministry of Environment – to be carried out before any construction can continue.

Construction was halted by judicial order last month until a prosecutor for the region assesses a case filed by activists.

Activists said the construction of the villa is an example of abuse of the environment by a privileged elite in Lebanon and the privatisation of the country's coastline.

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Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

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Torque: 250Nm 

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To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

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Videographer: Jear Velasquez 

Photography: Romeo Perez 

Fashion director: Sarah Maisey 

Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory 

Models: Meti and Clinton at MMG 

Video assistant: Zanong Maget 

Social media: Fatima Al Mahmoud  

 

 

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3/5

 

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5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138

6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93

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8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56

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December 14-16 The Gulf 12 Hours Endurance race

March 5 Yas Marina Circuit Karting Enduro event

March 8-9 UAE Rotax Max Challenge

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Name: Dukkantek 

Started: January 2021 

Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani 

Based: UAE 

Number of employees: 140 

Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service) 

Investment: $5.2 million 

Funding stage: Seed round 

Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office  

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Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

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Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

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As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

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Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

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ANALYSTS’ TOP PICKS OF SAUDI BANKS IN 2019

Analyst: Aqib Mehboob of Saudi Fransi Capital

Top pick: National Commercial Bank

Reason: It will be at the forefront of project financing for government-led projects

 

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Top pick: Al Rajhi Bank

Reason: Defensive balance sheet, well positioned in retail segment and positively geared for rising rates

 

Analyst: Chiradeep Ghosh of Sico Bank

Top pick: Arab National Bank

Reason: Attractive valuation and good growth potential in terms of both balance sheet and dividends

Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar

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Updated: November 17, 2025, 10:39 AM