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Six years, no indictment
Lebanon marked the sixth anniversary of the Beirut port explosion on Tuesday, with families gathering outside the site and pressing Lebanese authorities for justice and accountability for the ammonium nitrate that was unsafely stored with highly inflammable materials.
“On this day each year, all of Lebanon stands before a wound that has not healed”
Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun issued a special appeal to the judiciary, saying the issuance of an indictment has become a necessity that cannot tolerate further delay, and he told the country: "On this day each year, all of Lebanon stands before a wound that has not healed, and a memory that has not faded."
The explosion killed more than 220 people and injured more than 6,000 others, and the investigation has remained unresolved as the file has stayed with the Appellate Public Prosecutor’s Office since the lead investigator, Tariq Al-Bitar, concluded his investigations in late March of the previous year.
Aoun’s appeal came as Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed on X that "there is no settlement at the expense of justice, even if it is sometimes delayed," while the case has been bogged down by politics since 2023 after Hezbollah led a campaign to demand the removal of al-Bitar.
The UN also urged Lebanon to accelerate the stalled investigation and pursue structural reforms to strengthen judicial independence, with Jean Arnault saying efforts to move proceedings toward a conclusive outcome "must be redoubled."
Judicial wrangling and promises
The anniversary spotlighted the gap between judicial progress and accountability, with Al-Jazeera Net describing how the file has remained with the Appellate Public Prosecutor’s Office and noting that there are currently no detainees in Lebanon in the case.
Al-Jazeera Net said investigative judge Tariq Al-Bitar concluded his investigations in late March of the previous year after indicting about 70 people, including politicians, security and military leaders, and civil servants, before referring the file to the Appellate Public Prosecutor.
France 24 reported that families gathered near the port, with lawyer Cecile Roukoz saying, "Knowing the truth and holding the criminals to account remains the priority," while the article said nobody has yet been held accountable.
Justice Minister Adel Nassar told AFP that a decision from the prosecutor was expected within "a period of 60 to 90 days," and he framed it as a right for the victims and the Lebanese people in the face of a crime of this magnitude.
RFI similarly reported Aoun urging the judiciary to issue a long-awaited indictment, quoting him that "The issuing of the indictment by the investigating judge has become a necessity that can no longer be delayed," as the case remained with the public prosecutor after being bogged down by political and legal wrangling since 2023.
What’s at stake now
Beyond the anniversary ceremonies, the sources describe what is at risk if the investigation does not move, including the demand for structural reforms and judicial independence alongside calls for an indictment decision that can no longer be delayed.
“all relevant actors" to take the necessary steps”
Arab News said the UN called for structural reforms to safeguard the independence of the judiciary, describing it as a cornerstone of effective state-building and Lebanon’s broader reforms agenda, while Jean Arnault urged "all relevant actors" to take steps to facilitate swift progress.
The National reported that Justice Minister Adel Nassar expected prosecutors to release results within 60 to 90 days, and he told the outlet, "We have to send a message – certainly to the families of the victims – that justice has to be done and we will follow this case to the end."
The National also said the blast killed at least 220 people, injured thousands, and left swathes of the Lebanese capital in ruins, while it described how legal challenges forced lead judge Tarek Bitar to pause the investigation for months.
In parallel, Al-Jazeera Net said the indictment decision is not merely a legal procedure but a right for the martyrs over the living and a right for their families who have waited a long time, as it reiterated that accountability will not spare anyone.
