Lebanon: Families of Victims Commemorate Port Explosion, Adhere to Justice

A scene of massive destruction in the port of Beirut after the explosion (Archive - AFP)
A scene of massive destruction in the port of Beirut after the explosion (Archive - AFP)
TT
20

Lebanon: Families of Victims Commemorate Port Explosion, Adhere to Justice

A scene of massive destruction in the port of Beirut after the explosion (Archive - AFP)
A scene of massive destruction in the port of Beirut after the explosion (Archive - AFP)

The fourth anniversary of the Beirut Port explosion comes amid a blocked horizon for the resumption of the judicial investigations, which have been stalled for two and a half years.
The families of the victims will mark the occasion on Sunday at 5 p.m. by holding two demonstrations. The first begins from Martyrs’ Square in central Beirut, and the second from the headquarters of the Beirut Fire Brigade in the Karantina area. They will later gather in front of the Lebanese Emigrant Statue in the vicinity of the port.

William Noun, brother of victim Joe Noun, called for a massive participation in the event, in order to convey a message to the officials that their “cause will remain alive.”
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the positions to be launched during the demonstration will all converge on one goal – the “completion of the investigation... so that the Lebanese people know the truth about what happened and (uncover the identity of) those responsible for the crime that killed our brothers.”
The explosion that rocked Beirut on Aug.4, 2020 claimed the lives of 230 people, injured more than 5,000 and destroyed a third of the capital’s buildings.
“The confrontation is difficult with a political team that has no goal other than to undermine the investigation,” Noun said.
Since the judicial investigator Tariq Al-Bitar issued the prosecution list in early July 2021, and included the names of politicians and security leaders, the plan to end his judgeship began through dozens of lawsuits filed by the political defendants against him, which led to the cessation of his procedures since December 23, 2021.
The United Nations Special Coordinator in Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, met on Saturday with the families of a number of victims, who renewed their “resolute endeavor to uncover the truth and enforce justice and accountability.”
The families shared their experiences of the unprecedented tragedy that shattered their lives, homes, and communities, adding that despite their relentless pursuit of truth and accountability over the past four years, their efforts have been in vain, with the investigation into the explosion stalled.
The special coordinator echoed the UN secretary-general’s call for an impartial, thorough, and transparent investigation to bring truth, justice, and accountability.

 



White House: Ceasefire Extension in Lebanon Is Urgently Needed

Lebanese soldiers patrol in a vehicle along a residential area that was devastated by the war between Israel and Hezbollah, in the southern coastal town of Naqoura, near the border with Israel, on January 22, 2025. (AFP)
Lebanese soldiers patrol in a vehicle along a residential area that was devastated by the war between Israel and Hezbollah, in the southern coastal town of Naqoura, near the border with Israel, on January 22, 2025. (AFP)
TT
20

White House: Ceasefire Extension in Lebanon Is Urgently Needed

Lebanese soldiers patrol in a vehicle along a residential area that was devastated by the war between Israel and Hezbollah, in the southern coastal town of Naqoura, near the border with Israel, on January 22, 2025. (AFP)
Lebanese soldiers patrol in a vehicle along a residential area that was devastated by the war between Israel and Hezbollah, in the southern coastal town of Naqoura, near the border with Israel, on January 22, 2025. (AFP)

The White House said Friday that a ceasefire extension is "urgently needed" in Lebanon, adding that it welcomed the Israeli army withdrawal from the country’s central regions.

"We are pleased that the Israeli Army has started the withdrawal from the central regions of Lebanon," the White House said, according to Reuters.

Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon beyond a 60-day deadline stipulated in a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah because its terms have not been fully implemented, the Israeli prime minister's office said on Friday.

"All parties share the goal of ensuring Hezbollah does not have the ability to threaten the Lebanese people or their neighbors. To achieve these goals, a short, temporary ceasefire extension is urgently needed," said Brian Hughes, White House National Security Council spokesperson.

"We are pleased that the IDF has started the withdrawal from the central regions, and we continue to work closely with our regional partners to finalize the extension."

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army said its forces deployed in two towns in the Tyre district in southern Lebanon on Friday following an Israeli withdrawal.

The deployment was carried out in coordination with the five-member committee and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

On November 26, Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire to be implemented in phases over 60 days. The agreement took effect the next day, but Israel has been violating it on a daily basis.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Israeli troops should withdraw from the South and the Lebanese military will deploy in the region within a 60-day time frame.

The Lebanese government has said that it can’t deploy its force until Israeli troops pull out. Hezbollah has warned that it could resume fighting if Israel doesn’t withdraw.