Conflict Incident Report

Police have arrested two young men for entering the Tannourine Cedar Reserve to approach global superstar Shakira, who had stopped at the reserve to plant a cedar tree, according to the state-run National News Agency.

On her way to Batroun's Tannourine, the singer-songwriter made a stop on the main road, where a number of fans had gathered. She then arrived at the cedar reserve, where she was greeted by Tannourine Mayor Bahaa Harb along with members of the municipality and their wives. As part of the event, Shakira planted a tree.

Two men, identified by the NNA as Salah H. and Adel D., had a dispute with Harb when trying to access the exclusive event, which prompted their arrest. Harb had previously handed out meet-and-greet invitations to municipality members and their partners and had insisted on keeping the event private.

Shakira arrived at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport Thursday evening ahead of a highly anticipated concert that organizers expect will draw over 12,000 people, according to the head of media for the Cedars Festival, Mona Sakr.

Upon her arrival, Shakira told local media, “I am so happy to be in Lebanon, the land of my ancestors.” Her concert is set for Friday at the Cedars Festival in the northern town of Bsharri, as part of her El Dorado world tour.