Lebanese President Vows “Justice Is Coming” on Fifth Anniversary of Beirut Port Blast
The investigation had previously been blocked after Hezbollah—an influential political and military group in Lebanon—accused Judge Tarek Bitar of bias and demanded his dismissal.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday pledged that “justice is coming,” five years after the massive Beirut port explosion that left more than 220 people dead and over 6,500 injured, in one of the largest non-nuclear blasts ever recorded.
According to AFP, the August 4, 2020, explosion, caused by the ignition of tons of improperly stored ammonium nitrate, devastated large parts of Beirut, leveled the port area, and shook public trust in Lebanon’s ruling elite, none of whom have yet been held accountable.
“The Lebanese state is committed to uncovering the whole truth, no matter the obstacles or how high the positions [involved],” Aoun said in a statement. “The law applies to all, without exception.”
As the nation marked the solemn anniversary, Monday was declared a day of national mourning. Demonstrators and families of victims gathered near the port to demand justice and accountability. Addressing the families, Aoun reassured them: “The blood of your loved ones will not be in vain… justice is coming, accountability is coming.”
Despite widespread public anger and repeated promises, the judicial investigation into the blast has faced years of political interference and delays. However, AFP quoted a judicial official who said that Judge Tarek Bitar has now completed the interrogation phase of his investigation and is awaiting responses from Arab and European states regarding requests for information on specific incidents related to the case.
Once those steps are finalized, Judge Bitar is expected to submit his findings to the public prosecution before issuing indictments.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a former judge at the International Court of Justice, emphasized on Sunday that discovering the truth and holding those responsible accountable were national priorities. He criticized Lebanon’s long-standing culture of impunity, which many see as a key reason justice has remained elusive.
Bitar had resumed his stalled inquiry earlier this year, following the appointments of Aoun and Salam, who both pledged to support judicial independence. The investigation had previously been blocked after Hezbollah—an influential political and military group in Lebanon—accused Bitar of bias and demanded his dismissal.
Mariana Fodoulian, a member of the victims’ families association, told AFP, “For five years, officials have been trying to evade accountability, always thinking they are above the law. We're not asking for anything more than the truth… we won't stop until we get comprehensive justice.”
Meanwhile, Culture Minister Ghassan Salame announced that the port’s ruined wheat silos, which became a haunting symbol of the disaster, will be listed as historic landmarks. Victims' families have long called for the preservation of the silos as a memorial to honor the lives lost in the tragedy.