Beirut Mayor Ibrahim Zidane explained, “As soon as we were informed of what happened, we took the necessary internal measures and opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of this transgression and determine its causes and the responsibilities resulting from it.” Zidane pointed out that the current municipal council did not issue any decision or grant any license authorizing the use of the aforementioned property, explaining that the case dates back to 2023, when the owner of a restaurant submitted a request to take care of and maintain the garden, and take care of the green space and the room in it, without the request including any permission to use the lower part of the site. He pointed out that the request did not receive the approval of the Governor of Beirut or the former Municipal Council, stressing that any use of the site without obtaining the necessary legal approvals is considered an illegal infringement. Zidane stressed his keenness to protect the site and preserve its moral and national value, given its symbolism linked to the memory of the martyr Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, stressing the need to respect this symbolism and preserve the place. He concluded by affirming that the Beirut Municipality will not be negligent in protecting public property and preserving sites of historical, national and symbolic value for the people of Beirut and all Lebanese.