Lebanese Justice Ministry Orders Evacuation of Baabda Court Building Citing Safety Risks
Table of Contents
By Anya Sharma | BEIRUT – 2025/06/04 18:00:15
The Justice Ministry in lebanon has directed the immediate evacuation and temporary closure of a building attached to the Palace of Justice in Baabda. Justice Minister Adel Nassar requested Judge Mirna Bayda, the first president of the Court of Appeal in Mount Lebanon, to oversee the evacuation. The decision follows a report from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, which deemed the building structurally unsafe due to significant cracking and potential collapse, posing a direct threat to the safety of judges, employees, and citizens.
The report and related documents from Minister Nassar are available for review.
Structural Concerns Prompt Evacuation Order
The urgent directive underscores growing concerns about the integrity of public infrastructure in Lebanon. The Ministry’s report highlighted that the advanced state of deterioration in the building’s structure left no choice but to order an immediate evacuation to prevent potential casualties.
“The building’s status is not safe from the structural point of view due to cracking structures and cracks, which poses a threat to the safety of judges, employees and citizens.”
Implications for the Lebanese Justice System
The temporary closure of the building is expected to cause some disruption to court operations. Though, authorities are working to secure an alternative location to minimize delays and ensure the continuation of judicial proceedings. The incident has also sparked renewed calls for thorough assessments of public buildings across the country to identify and address potential safety hazards proactively.
