(ANSA) - BEIRUT, FEBRUARY 19 - Dozens of family members of the victims of the double explosion in the port of Beirut last August 4, in which over 200 people died and over 6 thousand were injured, took to the streets today in front of the Beirut, blocking road traffic with tires and rubbish bins set on fire.
The popular protest was triggered by the interruption for over a month of investigations by the Lebanese magistrate to identify those responsible for the disaster caused by the explosion, defined as "accidental", of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate for years stored in the port of Beirut.
The explosion of August 4, one of the 10 most powerful non-nuclear explosions in history, had profoundly damaged a third of the city, forcing 300,000 people to flee their homes.
Many of the injured have been left or disfigured for life.
Just yesterday the news of the Lebanese judicial decision to remove Judge FadiSawan, magistrate in charge of the investigation into the explosion of the port, from office.
His removal was decided after two former ministers, formally indicated among the presumed responsible for the disaster, together with the outgoing premier Hassan Diab, had filed an appeal in cassation in December for the alleged lack of impartiality of Judge Sawan.
From today the High Council of the Lebanese Judiciary is meeting to approve or reject the appointments proposed by the Ministry of Justice.
So far the Lebanese CSM has rejected the first appointment made by the ministry.
(HANDLE).
