Jbeil enforces new souk rules, says it's 'step one of a bigger plan'

BEIRUT — The Jbeil municipality announced a set of new regulations Monday for the city’s historic old souk, “aiming to reduce public disorder and improve the overall experience for tourists and residents,” a municipal member told L'Orient Today.

A video published by the municipality emphasized the need to “preserve the image and history” of the souk and make it more “organized and respectful of its visitors.” 

The new measures, introduced in coordination with the Syndicate of Restaurant Owners, Cafes, Nightclubs and Patisseries, include fines starting at LL20 million for violations. "If a shop repeatedly ignores the warnings, it will be shut down. We’re here to organize, not to ban,” the municipal member said. “Our goal is to preserve the city’s culture and heritage, reduce chaos, and make it easier for tourists to enjoy their visit.”

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Marc Abboud, the Jbeil coordinator for the Syndicate of Restaurant Owners, echoed that approach, saying the regulations are part of a broader tourism development plan. “The real impact will show next summer," he said. "That’s when we’re planning to launch brand names and bring in new concepts. This is just step one of a bigger plan.”

New rules respond to needs of locals and tourists alike

Both the municipality and the syndicate cited complaints from visitors about cluttered streets and pushy sales tactics. “Some tourists and visitors used to complain when the streets of the souk were overflowing with tables and chairs, making it difficult to walk through,” the municipal member noted. “Also, when store owners insist on getting visitors to buy something, sometimes even following them outside the shop, it takes away from the experience in this historic and traditional souk.”

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Abboud added that the new rules reflect the preferences of many locals and tourists alike. “The municipality’s decisions reflect the wishes of people who actually support order, for example, those who want to see an end to public shisha [arguileh] use on sidewalks,” he said.

He also criticized some existing practices. “It’s not appropriate for food shops to display their products outside in the middle of the street or right in front of people. And if you’re a shop, you should close by 7 p.m. You can’t operate like a pub and stay open late.”

Still, the message is not one of cracking down, but of gradual improvement. “Why not get used to something better?” said the municipal official. “Over time, people will feel the difference."

Abboud acknowledged that not everyone is happy with the changes but insists they are necessary. “You have to start somewhere. The old souk is currently unorganized, and we’re not claiming things will be fixed all at once. But this is the beginning of a step-by-step process,” he said. “Some issues are commercial, others are social, but it’s the right path forward.”

An employee at one of the pubs in Jbeil said the owner intends to comply, mostly to avoid paying the heavy fines. “We were only informed on Monday, we still have a few days before the municipality starts cracking down on violations,” he said, noting that their outdoor seating would remain in place until the end of the week.

Key regulations

-Banning aggressive or verbally harassing behavior to attract customers.

-Prohibiting the display of goods outside shop boundaries, including on sidewalks and in public squares.

-Restricting loud music in pubs to approved noise levels after 9 p.m.

-Limiting visible merchandise at shop entrances to artisan products and souvenirs only.

-Calling for the immediate removal of fridges, coffee machines, and similar items from sidewalks to ensure clear pedestrian flow.

-Mandating daily waste disposal and public cleanliness from shop owners.

-Requiring table areas to remain within designated zones and not obstruct foot traffic.

-Allowing pubs to set up outdoor tables only after 7 p.m., and they must remove them after closing.

-Limiting the use of hookahs (arguileh) to indoor use only.