Five years post the catastrophic Beirut port explosion, Lebanese citizens persistently call for accountability
Beirut Port Explosion Investigation Continues Amidst Political Obstacles
Five years after the catastrophic explosion at Beirut's port on August 4, 2020, the investigation into the incident remains ongoing, albeit with significant delays and obstructions.
Lead investigative judge Tarek Bitar is working diligently to advance the case, with a detailed indictment expected by the end of 2025. His investigation, now exceeding 1,200 pages, awaits a final report from French authorities who have also probed the blast.
Despite renewed momentum following Lebanon's new political leadership elected in early 2025, the investigation continues to face interference and legal challenges from various senior officials. Many summoned witnesses have refused to cooperate, citing immunity, and legal actions have been taken against Judge Bitar himself, causing previous suspensions of the probe.
Key individuals involved or implicated in the investigation include Judge Tarek Bitar, Mohammad Tlais (the port supervisor killed in the blast), former Prime Minister Hassan Diab, Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, and Maj. Gen. Tony Saliba, among others.
Former public prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat opposed Judge Bitar’s efforts, filing lawsuits that stalled the investigation and ordering the release of suspects in pretrial detention. Members of Parliament Ali Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zaiter have been accused of obstructing the probe by refusing questioning.
The explosion was caused by 2,750 tons of improperly stored ammonium nitrate imported aboard the Moldovan-flagged vessel Rhosus. The blast, one of the world's largest non-nuclear explosions, claimed at least 236 lives and injured over 7,000.
International cooperation is ongoing, with Judge Bitar seeking testimonies and legal assistance from European and Arab countries, notably awaiting the final French investigative report, as several victims were French citizens.
The association of victims' families is pushing for a thorough investigation that encompasses the full chain of responsibility. Hundreds gathered in Beirut on Monday to mark the anniversary of the explosion, demanding justice.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has stated that the state is committed to uncovering the whole truth about the explosion. Judge Bitar has finished questioning defendants and suspects in his investigation and is now waiting for responses from several Arab and European countries regarding specific incidents.
The judge will finalise the investigation, refer the file to the public prosecution, and then issue an indictment. The renewed political will following Lebanon's new leadership offers cautious hope for progress, but comprehensive justice remains elusive five years after the tragedy.
[1] Al Jazeera. (2021, August 4). Beirut blast probe: What we know so far. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/4/beirut-blast-probe-what-we-know-so-far
[2] Human Rights Watch. (2021, August 4). Lebanon: Beirut Blast Investigators Must Overcome Obstacles. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/8/4/lebanon-beirut-blast-investigators-must-overcome-obstacles
[3] Amnesty International. (2021, August 4). Lebanon: Beirut blast: Five years on, justice still elusive. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/08/lebanon-beirut-blast-five-years-on-justice-still-elusive/
[4] The New Arab. (2021, August 4). Beirut blast investigator Tarek Bitar: From hero to villain. Retrieved from https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/features/2021/8/4/beirut-blast-investigator-tarek-bitar-from-hero-to-villain
[5] The Associated Press. (2021, August 4). 5 years after Beirut blast, Lebanon's investigation into disaster awaits breakthrough. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/world-lebanon-middle-east-beirut-blast-investigation-5-years-4163a07d3c5f682e8c5352d9c81c0f4e
Despite the ongoing Beirut Port Explosion investigation, politics and general news continue to surround the case, with legal challenges and obstacles hampering the progress. International cooperation has been sought for testimonies and assistance, as the association of victims' families pushes for a comprehensive probe encompassing the entire chain of responsibility.
