Demonstration in Beirut against the regime
Photo: Hassan Ammar / APAround 5,000 people protested in Beirut on Saturday against the Lebanese government's handling of the huge explosion a few days earlier at the city's port. The riot police used tear gas against demonstrators who tried to break a cordon in the direction of parliament. Stones were also thrown from the rally. "The people want the regime to be overthrown," could be heard in chants.
"Get out of here, you are all murderers," read banners. "We want a future in dignity, we want the blood of the victims of the explosion not to be shed in vain," said Rose Sirour, one of the demonstrators.
More than 150 people were killed and another 5,000 injured in a severe explosion in the port of Beirut on Tuesday.
The anger against the political elite of the small country then reached a new high. There were already mass demonstrations last October calling for a fundamental reform of the political system. The government's opponents accuse it of corruption, self-enrichment and negligence.
The explosion finally drives Lebanon to the edge of the abyss
Since then, the situation of the people in Lebanon has continued to deteriorate. For months, the country has been suffering from what is perhaps the worst economic and financial crisis in its history. The corona pandemic further exacerbated the situation. The inflation is enormous. Many Lebanese hardly know how to feed their families. The explosion finally drives the country to the edge of the abyss.
Many Lebanese also blame the government for the huge explosion. Apparently, large amounts of the highly explosive chemical ammonium nitrate were stored in the port for years without any safety precautions. This is said to have caused the huge explosion. Warnings were reportedly ignored. On Friday evening, a judge ordered the arrest of three senior port employees, including the director and the head of customs.
Government leaves citizens alone to clean up
Meanwhile, many Lebanese are left to fend for themselves when it comes to the clean-up work after the explosion. While feeling abandoned by the government, they show great solidarity with one another. Dozens of volunteers were also on duty on Saturday in the heavily damaged areas around the port.
In the port, the rescue work continued at the site of the disaster. Rescue workers recovered 25 bodies from the rubble. Your identity is initially unclear, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Health. According to him, around 45 people are still missing - mostly dock workers.
"We, the people of Lebanon, are removing the rubble, not the government."
Boy scout Alessio Zughaib
At the port and the surrounding areas, volunteers bring food and drinks to help with the clean-up work. Like the young boy scout Alessio Zughaib, who distributes water and apples at a table in front of a hospital. "We, the people of Lebanon, are removing the rubble, not the government."
On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron and the United Nations want to jointly host a donor conference for Lebanon. US President Donald Trump also announced his participation in the video conference, which is intended to raise funds for the reconstruction of Beirut. Germany is represented by Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.
Icon: The mirrormfh / dpa / Reuters