"Since 1994", the municipality says, "Mapas started building inside the cave without first obtaining permits."
Already back in 1995 Raymond Hitti asked him to stop the works. The municipality regrets that "Haddad has not implemented the law and has completely ignored all rules."
They waited up till now before any action was taken due to the fact that the Jeita cave complex was a finalist in the new natural wonders of the world.
In 2010 a final warning to Mr Haddad was issued, without any result. It took an intervention by the Minister of Tourism Fadi Abboud to stop the works. The Chief of Planning, confirmed the need to destroy all constructions.
Source: L'orient le jour