Supporters of Hezbollah and villagers returning to Kfar Kila following the Israeli withdrawal, on Feb. 21, 2025. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
As the funeral of the former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah approaches, scheduled for Feb. 23, the Lebanese army announced on Friday the suspension of drone usage permits in Beirut for 24 hours, starting from Saturday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.
"Drone photography authorizations issued by the army command are suspended in the Beirut region and its surroundings from Feb. 22, 2025, at 6 p.m. to Feb. 23, 2025, at 6 p.m.," the Lebanese Army announced on its account X.
This announcement comes shortly after a meeting of the Central Security Council, after which Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar stated that the measures planned for Sunday by law enforcement aim to ensure the safety of participants at the event, as well as "all citizens." A security meeting also took place on Friday at the presidential palace in Baabda.
Tensions are evident in anticipation of the Sunday ceremony between Hezbollah supporters and other civilians, such as on Thursday at Beirut's airport when a woman held up a portrait of the former head of the party, or later with acts of vandalism in a Beirut restaurant that reportedly prevented its employees from taking leave on Sunday.
On Thursday, Defense Minister Michel Menassa, on his part, ordered "the suspension of firearms permits throughout Lebanese territory" from Feb. 22 to Feb. 25 at midnight. This measure excludes "diplomatic" permits, those granted "to the bodyguards of current and former ministers and deputies, party leaders, and religious dignitaries when in their presence," as well as those issued to embassy employees.
These restrictions are being implemented as celebratory gunfire is a common practice in Lebanon, turning each celebration or significant event into a potentially deadly risk.
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