The famous stalactites and stalagmites of the Jeita Grotto, in Kesrouan. (Credit: L'Orient Today, archive photo)
BEIRUT — Jeita Grotto's three-cave system of limestone stalagmites and stalactites did not incur any significant damage as a result of the 100-person wedding party that took place inside the natural landmark earlier this month, according to the results of a study released by the Tourism Minister on Thursday.
A statement from the ministry, distributed alongside a copy of the report, announced that the study "did not uncover any mechanical, geological or ecological damage in the inspected areas, and the cave's ecological system remains stable," but still insisted on "the need to apply the highest safety standards."
The ministry also stated that the temporary closure of the site, put in place to facilitate the preparation of the report, will end on Saturday and the site will then reopen to the public.
Written request and authorization from the municipality
Videos showing guests of the private pre-wedding party dancing to loud music inside the grotto — where protocol usually requires guests leave their phones in lockers outside the entrance to the cave and speak in quiet voices — caused outrage across the country and prompted Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to call for an investigation into the incident.
Natural caves in Lebanon fall under the authority of the Ministry of Tourism. The largest among them, Jeita Grotto, in Kesrouan district, had been closed since October 2024 following the sudden death of its director and the subsequent termination of the contract with the former operator, MAPAS-Liban.
In June 2025, the ministry temporarily entrusted its management to the municipality of Jeita under an agreement signed by both parties, in order to allow the site to reopen. A public call for tenders was meant to be launched in order for a specialized company to take over management, but the specifications are yet to be finalized.
Since the scandal erupted, the ministry and the municipality have been trading blame, with Minister Laura al-Khazen Lahoud insisting she never received any written request for the event, and municipal council president Walid Baroud asserting in comments made to the media that the ministry was, in fact, aware.
Regardless, the ministry statement underscores that "any event in the grotto must be subject to a written request, then benefit from written authorization from [the ministry] issued to the current manager, that is, the municipality of Jeita."
The statement cites circular 26/2025 from the Prime Minister’s office, instructing all administrations, public institutions, municipalities and federations, and relevant security agencies to strictly prevent the use of symbolic tourist and national sites without having first secured the necessary authorizations, according to established rules.
The report on the condition of Jeita Grotto was drafted by engineer Gilbert Zayo, head of the cave department; Joanna Doummar, head of the geology department at the American University of Beirut (AUB); Alain Rizk, expert in agronomy and biodiversity at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK); Marlène Brax, director of the Geophysical Center at the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), also representing the Ministry of the Environment; Johnny Tawk, president of the Lebanese Spéléo-Club; and Pierre Geara, specialist in sound insulation and vibrations.
Recommendations for events
The report issues general recommendations on managing musical and artistic events inside the grotto, prepared by engineers Pierre and Shanon Geara. These include setting up a continuous monitoring system, establishing clear guidelines for any artistic and musical event, adopting strict limits for sound and vibrations, and preparing a list of authorized activities and their allowed frequency.
Reaffirming "its full commitment to protecting Jeita Grotto," the Ministry of Tourism specified that these recommendations "will be incorporated into [its] guidelines for the municipality of Jeita, as well as into the specifications for the forthcoming call for tenders for the cave’s management and maintenance.
