Hezbollah has stirred controversy among Lebanese politicians after announcing on Tuesday that the images of former Secretary Generals Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine would be projected on the Rock of Raouche on the anniversary of their deaths.
During a press conference, Hezbollah’s head of activities, Ali Daher, said that the Raouche Rock would be illuminated with the two former leaders’ faces on September 25, between 5 PM and 7 PM.
The decision was met with heavy objection and criticism from public and political communities, amid fears that national monuments could be exploited for sectarian or partisan purposes.
Beirut Municipal Council member Mohammad Balouza confirmed to Houna Lebanon that the municipality hadn’t received any official request in this regard.
“The news reached us via social media and there was no direct communication with us,” stated Balouza, noting that Hezbollah is supposed to obtain authorization from the municipality for such a projection in a public space.
When asked if it was possible to light up the landmark without obtaining official permission from the municipality, Balouza said, “In such a case, a decision would be made by the Governor of Beirut to suspend the activity, issue a warning, or impose fines on the violating party in accordance with the law.”
MP Nadim Gemayel took to X to voice his objection, stating, “The Rock of Raouche is not a propaganda billboard for any party, nor is it an arena for symbolic displays that encapsulate Beirut’s identity.”
He added, “Beirut is a city of all its people, and its public property belongs to no one. Imposing Hezbollah symbols on the waterfront marginalizes the voices of the Lebanese, especially the people of Beirut who reject the idea of weapons and hegemony.”
For his part, MP Ashraf Rifi affirmed in a statement that the Rock of Raouche is “a unifying national symbol, not a space for rejected sectarianism.”
MP Ghassan Hasbani also commented on his X account, “The Raouche Rock should be adorned with the colors of the nation only, and not be used for any other slogan.”
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