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Grief and Wrath as Lebanon Marks Year since Deadly Blast

A picture taken with a drone shows a general view of the site of the Aug. 4, 2020 explosion in Beirut's port, after almost a year since the blast, Lebanon August 2, 2021. REUTERS/Imad Creidi
A picture taken with a drone shows a general view of the site of the Aug. 4, 2020 explosion in Beirut's port, after almost a year since the blast, Lebanon August 2, 2021. REUTERS/Imad Creidi
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Grief and Wrath as Lebanon Marks Year since Deadly Blast

A picture taken with a drone shows a general view of the site of the Aug. 4, 2020 explosion in Beirut's port, after almost a year since the blast, Lebanon August 2, 2021. REUTERS/Imad Creidi
A picture taken with a drone shows a general view of the site of the Aug. 4, 2020 explosion in Beirut's port, after almost a year since the blast, Lebanon August 2, 2021. REUTERS/Imad Creidi

Lebanon on Wednesday marks a year since a cataclysmic explosion ravaged Beirut, with a mix of grief over lost lives and rage at the impunity for its worst peacetime disaster at a time when its economy was already in tatters.

Shortly after 6:00 pm on August 4, 2020, a stock of ammonium nitrate fertilizer haphazardly stored at the city's port exploded and left swathes of the Lebanese capital looking like a war zone.

What went down as one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history killed at least 214 people, levelled entire neighborhoods and irreparably scarred the nation's psyche as well deepening the country's economic abyss.

With more than half the country living under the poverty line, former colonial power France aims to raise humanitarian aid at another international conference co-hosted by the UN on the day of the anniversary. President Emmanuel Macron hopes to gather $350 million.

Families of the dead and survivors have planned vigils, prayers, ceremonies and marches to honor those who perished in a blast whose shockwave was felt as far away as Cyprus, said Agence France-Presse.

Port workers were buried under gutted grain silos, firefighters battling the fire that preceded the blast were pulverized, commuters crushed to death and residents lacerated by supersonic shards of glass bled out in their homes.

Many will stay home on what was declared a national day of mourning, but last year's shock soon gave way to an anger that has only grown with every day the crime stays unpunished.

The country's already reviled political class has hidden behind its proclaimed immunity to avoid prosecution, stalling the lead investigating the judge's work at every turn.

In a press conference on Monday, relatives of blast victims called on authorities to lift immunity within three days, warning that they are willing to "break bones" in upcoming protests.

"We are done with routine and peaceful demonstrations ... beware of our anger," said Ibrahim Hoteit, a spokesperson for the families.

- 'Shameless obstruction' -
One protest is due to wind up in front of parliament, where no move has been taken towards accepting accountability.

Amnesty International accused the Lebanese authorities of "shamelessly obstructing" justice, while Human Rights Watch published a long report accusing them of "criminal negligence".

According to foreign and Lebanese intelligence reports seen by AFP, hundreds of tons of fertilizer were carelessly stored in the same warehouse as ton of fireworks and rolls of detonating cord, among other dangerous materials.

The reports, all dating back to last year, suggest that welding work caused the original fire.

However, more thorough investigations have yet to ascertain that fact and answer how the shipment got there in the first place, or why the deadly assortment of hazardous materials was left to fester in the same location for years.

Lebanon's parliamentarians -- some of whom have been nicknamed the "nitrate deputies" on social media -- are ignoring intense international pressure and threats of sanctions.

They have yet to agree on a government lineup despite being given a mid-September deadline last year by Paris, which has spearheaded an aid drive conditioned on reform.

A first donor conference for Lebanon in the immediate aftermath of the blast collected 280 million euros ($332 million at current rates).

Lebanon's descent into chaos had already started before the port blast, with a bankrupt state trapping people's savings in banks and the national currency nosediving on the black market.

The country is now facing medicine, fuel and clean water shortages that are compounding the national post-blast trauma, crippling a health sector facing a new wave of Covid infections and leading all of those who can to emigrate.

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Iraqi FM: We Informed Tehran that Factions Issue is for Iraq to Decide

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Iraqi FM: We Informed Tehran that Factions Issue is for Iraq to Decide

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Asharq Al-Awsat)

“How do we protect Baghdad from fire?" Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein repeated this question as he reflected on the challenges his country faced in 2024. Asharq Al-Awsat spoke with him in London, just an hour after a ceasefire was announced between Israel and Hamas on January 15, 2025.

Hussein said Iraq had avoided war but warned that the danger remains.

Hussein described Iraq as having narrowly avoided war but warned that the threat of conflict still looms.

“The world views us differently now,” he said, acknowledging Iraq’s shifting global image. However, he stressed that Iraqis must address their own issues with armed factions.

“No one will solve these problems for us,” he added, whether Iran disagrees with them or a US president less friendly toward Baghdad and Tehran takes office.

As news of the Gaza ceasefire terms emerged, Hussein asked: “How did we get here? It came far too late, with a heavy human cost.”

Still, he expressed cautious optimism, referring to what he called the “Iraqi prophecy” from October 2023: “Every war leads to another—and there will be more.”

With Lebanon entering a new chapter and Syria transitioning after Bashar al-Assad, Baghdad is asserting its role in London with a broad agreement. Many interpreted the deal as carrying political weight far beyond the official statements. But Hussein candidly remarked: “Yes, it’s a historic agreement, but not in anticipation of Trump’s return.”

British Framework in Iraq

On January 15, Baghdad announced a £12.3 billion investment package from Britain—a landmark deal that Hussein says reflects "the deep ties between the two countries."

The agreement also includes a defense component.

“Instead of collective agreements with the anti-ISIS coalition, we’re working on individual security understandings with countries like France, Germany, and now Britain, to shape cooperation in security,” Hussein explained.

“In Iraq, we have two types of British forces: one as part of the coalition and another under NATO. We need discussions on how to manage this presence from security and military perspectives,” he added.

Asked if these moves were a preemptive response to potential sanctions or regional tensions, Hussein dismissed such claims.

“This isn’t about preparing for Trump’s return to the White House. These talks are purely about Iraq’s policies, its situation, and its bilateral ties with major powers,” he said.

Hussein’s visit to London followed a trip to New York, where Iraq assumed the presidency of the G77+China group, the largest bloc representing developing nations at the UN.

“This leadership strengthens Iraq’s diplomatic ties with the Global North and promotes peace and security globally,” Hussein said.

“It also boosts Iraq’s regional and international standing, including its relations with the US.”

He believes Iraq’s leadership of the group, which he referred to as the “Global South,” is a significant step for the country in the “post-war” era, reflecting “how the world now sees Baghdad.”

Trump’s Return

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has become the hottest topic in Iraq, reviving political tensions and memories of his first term. The renewed strain between Iraq and Iran highlights the impact of US policies on the region.

For Iraq’s top diplomat, it’s a moment to focus on pragmatism and Iraq’s delicate position.

“Trump was elected by the American people, and we respect that,” Hussein said.

“But US tensions with Iran affect the entire region, with Iraq caught in the middle. We share deep ties with both countries—historical, cultural, and economic—and the US has helped us fight terrorism under clear agreements.”

Hussein hopes for dialogue between Washington and Tehran but worries the tensions may persist. He takes comfort in Iraq’s growing awareness of the need to strike a balance.

“Iraqis are now discussing how to navigate between both sides, something that wasn’t easy before,” he said.

To raise awareness, Iraq launched a media campaign to highlight the risks.

“We worked hard to show people that Iraq is at risk. If you can’t convince your own people, you can’t convince the world. It wasn’t easy, but we succeeded in making it clear: Iraq must stay out of war.”

Iraq’s Tough Balancing Act

How has Iraq tackled its complex challenges? Hussein said the country is now openly addressing sensitive issues, including dealing with armed groups outside state control.

“Iraqis are having this discussion publicly,” he said, crediting Najaf’s religious authority for pushing to limit weapons to the state.

“Do we build a state or continue fighting endless battles?” Hussein asked.

“A state cannot exist alongside elements that undermine it. We need internal agreements to ensure no group can impose violence or war. This has been under discussion for some time,” he explained.

These debates began before the October 2023 escalation in Gaza, and the international community is closely watching for a clear resolution to Iraq’s internal debate.

“There are serious discussions happening within Iraqi society and among political leaders,” Hussein affirmed.

“It will take time, but proposals are on the table. Some suggest integrating armed factions into the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which are legally part of the military,” he revealed.

“Others propose having these groups hand over their weapons to the PMF and shift to political roles. Whatever the approach, we must avoid any scenario leading to internal conflict,” said Hussein.

The focus includes three groups—al-Nujaba Movement, Kataib Hezbollah, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada—that have carried out hundreds of attacks since October 2023 under the banner of “supporting resistance in Gaza.”

Iraq’s internal discussions may take more time, but the growing threats could complicate the country’s efforts. In November 2024, Hussein mentioned that Iraq had received “clear threats, some from Israel.” So what’s the situation now?

“The threat still exists,” Hussein said. “The level of threat doesn’t matter as much as the fact that the discussions are focused on Iraq’s own need to find solutions, not external pressure.”

On Iran’s recent comments, where Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called on Iraqi factions to confront US forces, Hussein emphasized Iraq’s autonomy: “During my visit to Tehran on January 8 with the Prime Minister, we made it clear that Iraq’s internal issues are for Iraqis to decide. There are differences in Iran's public stance, but in the end, Iraq must make its own decisions.”

Hussein pointed to the challenges Iraq has faced, both domestically and internationally.

“The government has been through difficult times, but we’ve managed to get through it,” he said. Despite the ceasefire in Gaza, he remains cautious. “The tension still exists.”

“2024 was a very tough year for us, dealing with countries we don’t have strong relations with,” Hussein added.

"Iraq is in a region where tensions are still high. The question remains: How do we protect ourselves? The efforts from last year will need to be intensified in the coming period to keep Iraq stable and avoid war.”