In the Lebanese quagmire, for lack of a functioning government, civil society takes over

From our correspondent in Beirut

Welcome to Beirut's “Defended Zone” (ZAD), this immense space devastated by the port's double explosion on August 4th. Of course, the Quarantine, Gemmayzé or Mar Mikhael, all these ruined neighborhoods did not constitute an autonomous republic. But the communal spirit is there so much the anger of the inhabitants rages. “Whatever the causes of the explosions, the responsibility of the Lebanese political class is engaged. Their greed for gain, their incompetence and ultimately their indescribable shenanigans resulted in this: nearly 200 killed and 6,500 wounded, ” says Joumana Asseilly, whose Marfa art gallery, installed at the entrance to the port, was blown away.

Read also: In Lebanon, French investigators to unravel the mystery of the explosion

It is this bruised population that President Emmanuel Macron came to console and try to appease, Thursday, August 6, during a twenty-four hour visit to Beirut. “Not a Lebanese politician had bothered to come to meet us! So, yes, the walkabout

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