Special – They came to Lebanon for “Nasrallah’s Funeral” and Have Not Left
Many political circles are raising questions about the reports that a large number of people arriving in Lebanon from various countries have stayed in the country well beyond the days leading up to the funeral of the two Hezbollah leaders, Nasrallah and Safieddine, under the pretext of attending the funeral. Despite the passage of several days since the funerals and burials of Nasrallah and Safieddine, many of these individuals are still in Lebanon, particularly in certain areas protected by a party faction, as rumored.
What raises further suspicion about the continued presence of many foreign visitors in Lebanon is the fact that the funerals of Nasrallah and Safieddine have already taken place, making their original reason for coming to Lebanon no longer valid. This comes amid circulating information in political circles and sources that “a large number of those who came for the funeral of Nasrallah and Safieddine are staying either in the southern suburbs or in hotels and furnished apartments in areas close to the suburbs.”
This information seems to align with reality, as various tourism sources, particularly in the hotel and furnished apartment sectors, have confirmed to the Lebanese Forces website that “the number of bookings in hotels, and to a lesser extent in furnished apartments, began to rise last week, just before the funeral of Nasrallah and Safieddine, and the bookings have remained high to this day.”
These same sources chose not to provide an interpretation of this situation, opting instead to describe it technically without conclusions. However, they reaffirmed that “hotel and residential apartment bookings remain high.”
In this context, sources close to the Lebanese Forces website suggest that “there is no need for much investigation to understand this situation. The only conclusion is that the large number of people arriving in Lebanon two weeks ago under the pretext of attending the funerals of Nasrallah and Safieddine, and who have not left yet, means that the questions being raised are valid and appropriate. Perhaps their arrival in Lebanon was for other purposes, and the funeral of Nasrallah and Safieddine served as a convenient excuse.”
The same sources stress that “the issue of a large number of people staying in Lebanon from several countries under the pretext of the funerals of Nasrallah and Safieddine, and their continued presence even after the funeral and burial, should be closely monitored by various security agencies. The state must take a firm stance on this matter, follow up with the party faction suspected of providing protection for them, and clarify the facts, distinguishing between the truth and potential rumors or exaggerated reports.”
They add: “If those who stayed in Lebanon after the funeral and burial of Nasrallah and Safieddine are here for tourism, to enjoy the beauty of Lebanon’s landscapes and the excellent tourist services, boosting the tourism sector, then they are welcome. However, if some are using their prolonged stay to achieve certain goals, which remain unclear, the state and security agencies must be firm and strict with these individuals, making it clear that any ‘movements’ of this nature, reminiscent of past times, are forbidden and will be met with determination, and the responsible party will be held accountable.”