France’s Macron visits Beirut, announces international conference to raise aid
BEIRUT — Residents of Beirut vented their fury at Lebanon’s leaders Thursday during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, shouting, “Revolution!†and blaming the ruling elite for the deadly explosion that ravaged their storied capital city.
For many Lebanese, Tuesday’s giant blast was the last straw after years of corruption and mismanagement by a political class that has ruled for decades. Angry Beirutis crowded around Macron, who promised to press the politicians for reform.
The explosion, which killed at least 130 people, wounded thousands and left tens of thousands homeless, is believed to have been caused when a fire touched off a stockpile of 2,750 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate that authorities left sitting in a warehouse for years — despite a customs official’s repeated warnings.
Macron announced that France would organize a conference in the next few days with European, American, Middle Eastern and other donors to raise money for food, medicine, housing and other urgent aid.
But he warned Lebanon’s political leadership that he wouldn’t give “blank checks to a system that no longer has the trust of its people.†He called on them to create a “new political order.â€
He promised a “clear and transparent governance†so that the aid would go directly to the population and aid groups.
The Beirut explosion was likely caused by fireworks and ammonium nitrate, experts and video footage find. But now more difficult questions arise.
Lebanon’s various factions, including the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, have ruled the country since the 1975-90 civil war. Almost all the country’s public institutions are divided up among the factions, which use them as patronage generators for themselves and their supporters. Little actual development is put into the institutions, and anything that requires joint action often becomes mired in bickering. As a result, even basic services like electricity and trash collection are in shambles.
In startling scenes, Macron — whose country once was Lebanon’s colonial ruler — presented himself as a champion for the Lebanese to push change on their leadership.
After visiting the devastated port, Macron walked through one of the worst-hit neighborhoods, Gemmayzeh, down a street lined with wrecked buildings. Notably, none of Lebanon’s top politicians have toured residential areas damaged by the blast, though President Michel Aoun and others did visit the port.
On the narrow street, a crowd gathered around Macron and shouted their anger, chanting, “Revolution!†and “The people want to bring down the regime!†— slogans used at mass protests last year.
Macron told them he would speak to Lebanon’s political leaders.
“I will propose to them a new political pact this afternoon,†he said. “I will be back on Sept. 1 and if they can’t do it, I will keep my responsibility toward you.†He also promised that French aid would be given out with transparency and would not go “into the hands of corruption.â€
Along Beirut’s seaside corniche, Ferrari drivers rev their engines as they sidle past white-clad guards at the St.
One woman shouted at Macron, “You are sitting with warlords. They have been manipulating us for the past year.†He replied, “I’m not here to help them. I’m here to help you.†They then hugged.
Hours after Macron left Gemmayzeh, Justice Minister Marie-Claude Najm tried to become the first Lebanese government official to visit the area, only to be driven out by protesters.
“Resign, you criminal! Would you accept anything less if your sister were among those killed?†one protester shouted at her. As Najm was about to respond, another protester sprayed her with a water hose. She left as protesters chanted, “Revolution!†and “Resign!â€
Later, Macron met with Aoun and the prime minister and held a gathering with the head of the main parliament blocs.
There have been widespread pledges of international aid to Lebanon, which was already mired in a severe economic crisis that had crippled its ability to rebuild from the blast. The international community, however, has been reluctant to offer support to the notoriously corrupt and dysfunctional government.
The Lebanese are used to eating plenty of meat, but the country’s economic woes have made it a luxury as rampant inflation takes its toll.
Losses from the blast were estimated by Beirut Gov. Marwan Abboud to be between $10 billion and $15 billion. He said nearly 300,000 people were homeless.
The disaster also may have accelerated the country’s coronavirus outbreak, as thousands flooded local hospitals. Tens of thousands of people had to move in with relatives and friends after their homes were destroyed or damaged, further raising the risks of exposure.
The head of Lebanon’s customs department, Badri Daher, told the Associated Press that State Security, one of Lebanon’s main security agencies, had been conducting an investigation over the past year into the stockpile of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the port since it was confiscated from an impounded ship in 2013.
During the investigation, the agency sent reports to the Cabinet, state prosecutor and other state institutions about the danger of the material.
You can deal with militias and armies, the owners of Beirut’s famous Barbar restaurant say, but you can’t make friends with the coronavirus.
Security officials were not immediately available for comment. But, if correct, it would be the first evidence that top-level officials were notified of the presence of the large amount of ammonium nitrate — a component of fertilizers that is highly explosive — kept so close to residential areas.
Daher confirmed that he had sent a letter in 2017 to a judge warning of the danger and asking for guidance on what to do with the material. He said he and his predecessor sent six letters but never got a response.
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