Jad Chaaban, an associate professor of economics at the American University of Beirut, said the situation on the ground in the Lebanese capital after the explosion is so dire that it is “beyond a national disaster,”
“Beirut city is completely destroyed and shattered,” he said.
Chaaban said storing ammonium nitrate in a warehouse for years near a populated area amounted to “criminal” behavior.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, said that 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive material used in fertilizers and bombs, had been stored for six years at a port warehouse without safety measures, “endangering the safety of citizens,” according to a statement.
The Prime Minister has launched an investigation into the explosion, saying he “will not rest until we find those responsible for what happened, hold them accountable, and impose maximum punishment.”
More unrest coming: Chaaban told CNN he believes this incident could precipitate more protests in Lebanon.
“We are very, very angry at this political class, and they all should leave,” Chaaban said.
Lebanon has been dealing with sporadic anti-government protests since late last year, when a popular uprising gripped the country. Many were angry with the country’s ruling political class, endemic corruption and its dire economic outlook — which has only gotten worse since Covid-19 hit. Prices for many goods have risen rapidly in recent weeks, some quadrupling, according to Chaaban.
“There is exasperation on the streets and there is a lot of anger,” he said.