Lebanese security officials warned the Prime Minister and President about the danger of the 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate being stored in the Port of Beirut, back in July.
According to documents seen by Retuers, the officials said that the chemicals posed a security risk and could destroy the capital if they exploded. Just two weeks later, the chemicals triggered a massive explosion that killed 163 people, injured 6000, and left some 300,000 homeless.
As per a report by the General Directorate of State Security on events leading up to the explosion, a reference was made to a private letter sent to President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab on 20 July. While the content of the letter has not been revealed, sources said it concluded that the chemicals needed to be secured immediately.
The Lebanese government resigned en masse this week following allegations of corruption and blame over the blast. Large and at times, violent protests have rocked Beirut since the blast with citizens seeking justice, and their resignation.
The building of the capital is expected to cost up to $15 billion at a time when the country is essentially bankrupt. Due to a severe economic crisis, the banking system lost some $100 billion. In addition to this, the authorities were struggling to contain the COVID-19 pandemic with numbers rising across the country.
Lebanese people will now have to find a new Prime Minister, the third in a year, as well as deal with food insecurity, the pandemic, an economic crisis, and the near destruction of Beirut.
