Latest Earthquake Strikes Fear in Lebanon: All Old Buildings at Risk of Collapse

A sign warns against approaching a building at risk of collapse in Lebanon. (file photo)
A sign warns against approaching a building at risk of collapse in Lebanon. (file photo)
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Latest Earthquake Strikes Fear in Lebanon: All Old Buildings at Risk of Collapse

A sign warns against approaching a building at risk of collapse in Lebanon. (file photo)
A sign warns against approaching a building at risk of collapse in Lebanon. (file photo)

A recent strong earthquake that hit Syria and was felt in Lebanon has alarmed the Lebanese people, bringing back memories of the devastating quake that struck Syria and Türkiye on February 6, 2023.

People are now worried about the stability of many older buildings in Beirut and other major cities.

The Lebanese Real Estate Authority warned that at least 16,000 buildings are at risk of collapsing, excluding those damaged by the 2020 Beirut port explosion. The Authority also highlighted damage to buildings in Tripoli from the 2023 quake and in the South due to the war with Israel.

The Authority noted that the most vulnerable buildings are in Beirut, northern Lebanon, and Tripoli. These buildings are at risk due to outdated construction practices, lack of maintenance, and damage from past conflicts. Lebanon’s location on an active fault line adds to the risk.

The Authority also expressed concern about internal displacement, with people moving from unsafe areas to more crowded neighborhoods, where many buildings are in poor condition.

To address these risks, the Authority called for a comprehensive survey by municipalities to assess and prioritize building repairs.

It criticized the current lack of effective regulation and oversight and urged citizens to inspect their buildings for cracks and avoid staying under damaged roofs. Professional assessments from engineers are recommended for safety.

Beirut’s municipal authorities have started evaluating the safety of older buildings in wake of the earthquake.

Dr. Bilal Hamad, a structural engineering professor, warned that most buildings built before 2000 could collapse in a major quake of magnitude 6.0 or higher.

He explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that older buildings are designed to handle vertical loads but struggle with the side forces of an earthquake.

He stressed the need for legislative action to allow renovations of heritage buildings by enabling property owners to sell parts of their property to fund repairs and make the buildings more resilient.



What Is the ‘Shiite Duo’s’ Problem with Salam’s Appointment as Lebanon’s PM?

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam waves as he arrives to meet with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (not pictured) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (EPA)
Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam waves as he arrives to meet with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (not pictured) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (EPA)
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What Is the ‘Shiite Duo’s’ Problem with Salam’s Appointment as Lebanon’s PM?

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam waves as he arrives to meet with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (not pictured) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (EPA)
Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam waves as he arrives to meet with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (not pictured) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (EPA)

Several observers have questioned the strong opposition by the “Shiite duo” of Hezbollah and the Amal movement of the appointment of Nawaf Salam as Lebanon’s prime minister.

Head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc MP Mohammed Raad went so far on Monday to declare that the party had been “deceived with the aim of creating division and exclusion” in the country.

Salam was named prime minister on Monday after earning 84 votes from parliamentary blocs. His predecessor Najib Mikati received nine, while the Shiite duo abstained from naming anyone.

Back in 2023, the duo had agreed to a so-called “French initiative” that suggested the election of Hezbollah and Amal’s candidate Suleiman Franjieh as president in exchange for Salam to be named prime minister.

Salam, who in February 2024 was named head of the International Court of Justice, boasts a long history of opposing Israel, which should have earned him Hezbollah’s strong support. He resigned from the post after being designated prime minister.

Figures close to the duo said that one of the issues Hezbollah has with Salam is that since the October 2019 anti-government protests in Lebanon, he has been viewed as the opposition and West’s candidate for the position of prime minister.

Political anlayst Dr. Kassem Kassir told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hezbollah and Amal don’t view Salam as a rival as they had agreed to his nomination in line with the French initiative.

The problem, however, lies in how he was nominated. He explained that internal and foreign forces had reached an agreement that would see Joseph Aoun elected president and Mikati named prime minister, he said.

However, it appears that some sort of internal and foreign “coup” had taken place and that led to Salam’s nomination and appointment, he remarked.

On whether the dispute can be resolved, Kassir said “positive stances” during the government formation process may tackle the issue.

“The Shiite duo fear that there may be an agenda aimed at excluding its influential role in political life,” he added.

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (L) speaking with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)

Hezbollah had warned on Monday that Salam’s government may be “unconstitutional” should it fail to meet its demands and aspirations.

Raad said: “We have the right to demand the formation of a constitutional government. A government that violates joint coexistence is not legal.”

Constitutional expert Dr. Saeed Malek said “constitutionality” is one of the foundations of Lebanon’s political system.

The constitution clearly states that there can be no legitimacy to an authority that violates mutual coexistence, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

However, the issue of “constitutionality” must not be brought up when a certain party wants to deliver a political message and prevent the remaining parties from building a state and practicing their rights, he stressed.

“Yes, the Shiite duo does represent Shiites in Lebanon, but they don’t represent all Lebanese Shiites. The community boasts figures who enrich the Shiite sect, so a government can be formed with them,” Kassir said.

“A government would be unconstitutional if not a single Shiite figure is represented in it,” he underlined.

On whether the government needs the vote of confidence of the Shiite MPs, he said the constitution does not stipulate that a cabinet needs the vote of all segments. “It simply says that it needs the vote of confidence,” he added.

“At the end of the day, the issue of ‘constitutionality’ is a right, but one must not exploit this right with the aim to obstruct state functioning and the formation of a government,” Malek stressed.

“No party has the right to obstruct a new presidential term under the pretext of ‘constitutionality’,” he stated.