Lebanon

Law Commentary

A law proposal to establish a separate cadastral zone for the municipality of Saadiyat, submitted by MP Bilal Abdullah, represents a pivotal point for a deeper discussion around the history of these areas and their evolving social boundaries. In the case of Damour and Saadiyat, the area became a symbol of the profound political crisis brought about by demographic changes in the Chouf coastal region, resulting from transformations and repeated waves of displacement to and from it.

Article Field Watch

Eviction of Camp “044” in Ghazzeh–Bekaa: Between Protecting the Litani and Undermining the Right to Housing

In September 2025, the Litani River Authority ordered the eviction and dismantling of Camp 044 in Ghazzeh, West Bekaa. Citing environmental violations and the need to remove encroachments from the river course, this action is part of a larger campaign targeting over 34 Syrian refugee camps. This text documents the eviction, its repercussions, and its impact on the fundamental right to housing.

Policy Watch

Green light to destroy Beirut’s theater:

The Ministry of Culture removes protection under pressure from the Shoura Council and the owner's threats

The Ministry of Culture delisted lot number 243 in the Ain Mreisseh district (Beirut) from the general inventory list of historical buildings is a striking decision. This contradiction raises questions about the motives behind the decision, specifically that the lot includes Beirut Theater.
In this article, we review the details of the property and previous attempts to protect it, revealing an alarming threat on the theater and the adjacent buildings.

Policy Watch

MP Kassem Hashem proposes an amendment to the Reconstruction Law integrating the inclusion of persons with disabilities:

A positive step in need of follow-up and completion.

Following the Lebanese Union of People with Disabilities’ campaign, MP Kassem Hashem submitted a proposal to amend law No. 22 to integrate the rights of people with disabilities.
Currently, it is crucial to collectively lobby for the approval of this amendment as a first step towards establishing a comprehensive and just reconstruction process, through clear implementation mechanisms and continuous institutional follow-up.

Policy Watch

An attack on the Seal cave in Amchit with the participation of the DGU

On the rocky shore of Amchit, the Seal Cave is currently under attack as a result of an unjustified and illegal decision by the Directorate General of Urban Planning (DGU) granting construction works …

From Dossier Investigation

Lessons from the “Waad” Reconstruction Project

After thirty-three days of continuous bombardment that killed more than 1,000 people, the 2006 war affected a total of 1,232 buildings, mostly residential.
On November 14, 2006, a meeting was held with residents, where they expressed one primary concern: returning to their homes as soon as possible. Accordingly, the local political party promised to rebuild Beirut’s southern suburbs, making them “more beautiful than before,” as the slogan of the project became.
In this text, we present the project and its challenges, especially at the urban level.

From Dossier Investigation

The Beirut Central District Reconstruction Experience (Solidere)

Solidere was established after the end of the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) to undertake the reconstruction of downtown Beirut, which is now known by its name. This company’s experience represents the neoliberal model of reconstruction, a model that has been subject to much criticism and questioning.
This article reviews Solidere’s experience with the aim of recalling it and rethinking the social and cultural repercussions of the neoliberal model it followed.

From Dossier Investigation

Aita al-Shaab: How do we rebuild a village?

Bulldozing the old neighborhood in Aita al-Shaab, a Lebanese village on the southern borders, following the 2006 israeli war, the solidere-like approach to reconstruction, or the many stories we heard from returnees and their experiences during the war, highlighting the meaning of losing their home, their village, and their community. We will attempt to address these three levels through this text, while exploring the experiences of a group of urban planners who volunteered to support reconstruction efforts in the village immediately after the war.

Dossier

“Reconstruction in Lebanon: Experiences and Lessons”

Lebanon, and particularly the South, Beirut, and the Bekaa, is experiencing massive destruction of its infrastructure, buildings, spaces, and social and urban fabric as a result of the recent Israeli war. This has …

From Dossier Investigation

The camp’s extension in Lebanon between the barriers of security and law: The story of Nahr al-Bared

The story of the destruction and reconstruction of Nahr al-Bared camp offers insights into the current state of Palestinian camps and settlements in Lebanon. This study demonstrates that the approach adopted by official Lebanese politics in Nahr al-Bared, will likely lead to the emergence of a new approach to dealing with Palestinian camps and settlements in Lebanon, one that relies on security measures reinforced by discriminatory laws.

Article Legal Memo

How Can I Protect My Rights as an Old Rent Tenant Amid a Suspended Law and Ongoing Crises? A Legal and Practical Guide

Are you an old rent tenant at risk of eviction? Learn how to protect your housing rights under Law No. 2/2017 and navigate Lebanon’s suspended rent system.

Narrative

 The New Rent Law Threatens to Dissolve a Neighborhood: The Eviction of a Building in Burj Hammoud

In Burj Hammoud, old tenants face eviction from their decade-long homes as Lebanon’s old rent law nears its end. Their story reveals the legal gaps in law 2/2017 and how unaffordable rents threaten entire communities.