Lebanese President Aoun declares 'justice forthcoming' as the nation commemorates the fifth anniversary of the Beirut port explosion
The investigation into the catastrophic explosion that rocked Beirut's port on August 4, 2020, is moving forward, with Judge Tarek Bitar making significant strides in his probe.
After multiple suspensions due to political pressure, legal challenges, and obstruction by some officials, the inquiry resumed this year with renewed political support from President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The Judicial Police cooperation ban was lifted in March, enabling Judge Bitar to question key suspects for the first time in years.
The main suspects in the investigation include several senior Lebanese officials and security leaders, such as Abbas Ibrahim (former head of General Security), Jean Kahwaji (former army commander), Tony Saliba (former State Security Director General), several customs officials, port employees, and political figures like former Prime Minister Hassan Diab. Judge Bitar has charged these individuals as part of an ongoing probe.
However, some officials continue to obstruct by refusing to appear or claim immunity. Despite this, Judge Bitar has reportedly finished questioning defendants and suspects.
Hundreds gathered in Beirut on Monday afternoon to mark the anniversary of the explosion, demanding justice. Georgette Khoury, 68, attended the commemoration to honor three loved ones who perished in the blast. Mariana Fodoulian from the association of victims' families stated that officials have been trying to evade accountability for five years.
One of the victims' families' demands is the preservation of the port's gutted and partially collapsed wheat silos as a memorial of the catastrophe. Culture Minister Ghassan Salame announced that the silos would be included on a list of historic buildings.
The blast, one of the world's largest non-nuclear explosions, devastated swaths of the Lebanese capital, killing over 220 people and injuring over 6,500. The investigation should establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the explosion, encompassing the full chain of responsibility, whether domestic or international.
President Aoun stated that they are working with all available means to ensure the investigations are completed with transparency and integrity. Youssef Romanos, a resident who raised a photo of his neighbor, a nun killed in the explosion, said they were waiting for justice to take its course.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have urged authorities to ensure a comprehensive, unobstructed investigation into the Beirut explosion. Several former ministers did not appear for questioning, according to a judicial official. Officials named in the investigation have filed a flurry of lawsuits seeking to prevent the investigation from going forward.
Despite these challenges, there is cautious optimism that a judicial reckoning may be forthcoming, aiming to end the longstanding culture of impunity in Lebanon associated with the Beirut port blast. Judge Bitar is reportedly close to concluding the investigation and plans to issue a detailed indictment by the end of 2025, which will clarify how the explosion occurred and assign responsibility. The case will then be referred to Lebanon’s Judicial Council for review.
- The investigation into the Beirut port explosion, a tragic event that shook the world, has become a focal point for discussions in various aspects of society, including politics, general news, and human rights, as the international community watches closely to ensure a comprehensive, unobstructed probe.
- As the investigation into the Beirut port explosion progresses, with Judge Bitar making significant strides, the case has highlighted the need for accountability and an end to impunity, doubly emphasized by the voice of the affected culture, as survivors and victims' families demand justice for their losses.
