LEBANON – In a new development in the case filed by TERRE Liban before the State Council regarding the Monk Seal Cave in Amchit and the construction project built above it, the association has received the final report issued by the court-appointed expert.

According to the association, the report, which exceeds 270 pages including annexes, confirms what has been warned since the beginning of the case and includes several key findings.

The report documented 17 construction violations, in addition to several violations related to project implementation. It also confirmed that the works are being carried out without a full environmental impact assessment, in violation of applicable laws.

It further highlighted the site’s special environmental importance, as it is a habitat for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal and may serve as a breeding site, based on a scientific opinion issued by the National Center for Marine Sciences of the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS).

TERRE Liban said these findings highlight the environmental sensitivity of the site, stressing that the case is part of efforts to protect biodiversity and ensure respect for environmental laws in Lebanon.

The case relates to a construction project in the Amchit area, amid ongoing environmental and legal objections over its impact on this sensitive marine site.