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GMA Network
04-08-2025
- General
- GMA Network
Hundreds gather to mark five years since Beirut blast, but justice still elusive
A relative of the Beirut port explosion casualty speaks during a gathering as Lebanon marks the fifth anniversary of the blast, Lebanon August 4, 2025. REUTERS/ Mohamed Azakir BEIRUT — Hundreds of Lebanese gathered solemnly near Beirut's coast on Monday to commemorate a half-decade since the cataclysmic port blast of 2020, when more than 200 people were killed in one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. Carrying Lebanese flags and portraits of some of the victims, many of those standing said they felt deeply disappointed that no one has been held to account for the devastating explosion. "Can someone tell me why five years on we're still standing here? If everyone stands with this cause, then who's against us?' said William Noun, whose brother Joseph, a firefighter, was killed by the blast. "This file needs to close. It's been five years and we don't want to have a sixth," Noun said from a stage set up near the port. The blast destroyed large swathes of Beirut, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless. An aerial view taken on August 7, 2020, shows a partial view of the port of Beirut and the crater caused by the colossal explosion three days earlier of a huge pile of ammonium nitrate that had languished for years in a port warehouse, left scores of people dead or injured and caused devastation in the Lebanese capital. The city of Beirut can be seen in the background. AFP The names of all those killed were read out as protesters stood facing the wreckage of the Beirut grain silos, which were heavily damaged in the blast and continued to deteriorate and collapse for years after. At 6:07 p.m.—the time of the blast five years ago—the few hundred gathered stood for a moment of silence. "I'm here because I find it crazy that five years later, we still don't know exactly what happened," said Catherine Otayek, 30. "I had hope for answers in 2020. I didn't think we'd still be here." Although she did not lose anyone herself, the Lebanese expatriate living in France said she made it a point to return to Beirut every year for the commemoration as a duty to fellow Lebanese. The port blast came nearly a year into Lebanon's catastrophic economic collapse, and was followed by a political crisis that paralyzed government and a devastating war between Hezbollah and Israel starting in 2023. Investigation stymied The blast is thought to have been set off by a fire at a warehouse on the evening of August 4, 2020, detonating hundreds of tonnes of ammonium nitrate. Lebanese officials promised at the time that an investigation into the blast's root causes would be completed in five days. But years of political interference stymied the probe, with judicial officials and then-ministers continually raising legal challenges against the investigating judges, effectively paralyzing the investigation. Some Lebanese have drawn hope from pledges by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam—both of whom came to power at the beginning of this year—to prioritize justice for blast victims. On Monday, Aoun pledged to hold those responsible for the blast accountable, regardless of their position or political affiliation. "Justice will not die, and accountability will inevitably come," he said. The president and prime minister did not attend Monday's commemoration. Judge Tarek Bitar resumed his investigation earlier this year and has questioned several officials in recent months—but he has yet to issue a preliminary indictment, which many Lebanese were hoping for ahead of the fifth anniversary. "We want a preliminary indictment that is complete and comprehensive," said Paul Naggear, whose three-year-old daughter Alexandra was killed in the blast. "We want to know who was supposed to evacuate our neighborhoods, so that we could get to the hospital, and so my daughter could have survived." Naggear and his wife Tracy have been among the most vocal advocates for accountability for the blast. Rights groups have pressed for a full investigation that will establish the full chain of responsibility. "Justice delayed is justice denied," said Reina Wehbi, Amnesty International's Lebanon campaigner. "The families of those killed and injured in the Beirut explosion have waited an intolerable five years. They must not be forced to endure another year of impunity." — Reuters
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Syrian committee reports 1,426 killed in March violence, says commanders did not order it
FILE PHOTO: Alawite Syrians, who fled the violence in western Syria, walk in Nahr El Kabir River, after the reported mass killings of Alawite minority members, in Akkar, Lebanon March 11, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo BEIRUT - A Syrian fact-finding committee said on Tuesday that 1,426 people had died in March in attacks on security forces and subsequent mass killings of Alawites, but concluded that commanders had not given orders for the revenge attacks. The incidents in the coastal region were the worst violence to hit Syria since the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad last year. The fact-finding committee's work is seen as an important test of the new leadership, made up mainly of former anti-Assad rebel fighters, who are facing new unrest this month involving other minority groups in the southwest. The committee concluded that Syrian commanders did not give orders to commit violations and in fact gave orders to halt them. It came up with a list of 298 suspects involved in violations against Alawites and 265 involved in the initial attack on security forces, committee head Jumaa Al-Anzi said. The names are not being released publicly for now and have been referred to courts for further investigations, spokesperson Yasser Farhan said. He added that 31 people who committed violations against civilians had been arrested, as well as six people he referred to as "remnants" of the former regime. A Reuters investigation last month identified 1,479 Syrian Alawites killed and dozens who were missing from 40 distinct sites of revenge killings, and found a chain of command leading from the attackers directly to men who serve alongside Syria's new leaders in Damascus. Syria's new leadership, which has roots in the insurgency led by Sunni Muslim Islamist groups against Assad, a member of the Alawite minority sect, has long sought to reassure minorities that they will be safe. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue among leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving Safety of minorities has become a major issue again this month with hundreds of people killed in clashes between government security forces, Sunni Bedouin fighters and militants from the Druze sect in the southern province of Sweida. The authorities have set up a new fact-finding committee in response. 'WIDESPREAD BUT NOT ORGANISED' The violence in March began on March 6 with attacks on Syrian security forces stationed in the region. It put hospitals and other state institutions out of operation and caused wide areas to fall out of government control, Farhan said. The committee found that 238 members of the security forces were killed in these attacks, perpetrated by forces aligned with the former Assad government, Farhan said. In response, around 200,000 armed men mobilized from across Syria, pouring into the coastal region, he said. This led to violations including killings, theft and sectarian incitement that the committee found were "widespread but not organised," Farhan said. Farhan said the committee members had full cooperation from government forces as they undertook their months of work, and it was now up to President Ahmed al-Sharaa whether to release their report in full. Diana Semaan, Syria researcher at Amnesty International, called for the full findings to be released and for perpetrators to face prosecution. "In terms of the fact-finding committee, acknowledging that atrocities against Alawite civilians happened is an important step towards justice," she told Reuters. "[But] without the proper prosecution of perpetrators, then we have impunity. It won't be the justice and accountability that the victims deserve." REUTERS
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Syrian committee reports 1,426 killed in March violence
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Alawite Syrians, who fled the violence in western Syria, walk in Nahr El Kabir River, after the reported mass killings of Alawite minority members, in Akkar, Lebanon March 11, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo BEIRUT - A Syrian fact-finding committee said on Tuesday that 1,426 people, including 90 women, had been killed during the March 6-9 violence in the country's coastal regions that witnessed attacks on security forces followed by killings of Alawite Syrians. The incidents were the worst violence to hit Syria since the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad last year, and the fact-finding committee's work is seen as an important test of the new leadership, made up mainly of former anti-Assad rebel fighters. In a key finding, the committee concluded that Syrian commanders did not give orders to commit violations and in fact gave orders to halt them. The committee came up with a list of 298 suspects involved in violations against Alawites and 265 involved in the initial attack on security forces, committee head Jumaa Al-Anzi said. The names are not being released publicly for now and have been referred to courts for further investigations, while 31 people have been arrested, spokesperson Yasser Farhan said. The violence began on March 6 with attacks on Syrian security forces stationed in the region that put hospitals and other state institutions out of operation and caused wide areas to fall out of government control, Farhan said. The committee found that 238 members of the security forces were killed in these attacks, perpetrated by forces aligned with the former Assad government, Farhan said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Asia Malaysian aide's unresolved 2009 death tests govt's reform pledge despite DAP chief's apology Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Singapore not affected by haze despite smoke plumes in Sumatra: NEA Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving In response to the attacks, around 200,000 armed men mobilized from across Syria, pouring into the coastal region, he said. This led to violations including killings, theft and sectarian incitement that the committee found were "widespread but not organised," Farhan said. Farhan said the committee members had full cooperation from government forces as they undertook their months of work. REUTERS
The Star
15-07-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Lebanon's worst drought on record drains largest reservoir
A view shows the Mseilha Dam in Batroun, Lebanon, July 10, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir QARAOUN, Lebanon (Reuters) -Water levels at Lebanon's largest reservoir on the Litani River have fallen to historic lows amid what experts describe as the country's worst drought on record, threatening agriculture, electricity production, and domestic water supplies. The Litani River National Authority said inflows to Lake Qaraoun during this year's wet season did not exceed 45 million cubic metres, a fraction of the 350 million cubic metres annual average. Last year, the figure stood at 230 million. The water currently available in Lake Qaraoun - around 61 million cubic meters - was unusable due to severe pollution, the authority said. "There were dry years in 1989, 1990 and 1991, but this year is the driest," said Sami Alawieh, head of the river authority. "We are facing a water scarcity problem across all Lebanese territories and water basins." Drone footage of Lake Qaraoun shows a dramatically receded shoreline, exposing cracked earth and dead vegetation. Lebanon's hydroelectric plants tied to the Litani basin have been shut down, Alawieh said, causing financial losses and intensifying electricity rationing by Electricite du Liban. "We have two factors: the decline in rainfall and the pressure on groundwater," he said. A study by the authority found climate warming and shifting weather patterns have contributed to more frequent dry seasons and higher temperatures, exacerbating soil moisture loss and reducing the recharging of groundwater reservoirs. The state utility has slashed supply in some areas from 20 hours a day to as little as 10. In the fertile area around Qaraoun village, in the Bekaa Valley, farmers were already feeling the impact. "I have never seen such drought or scarcity of rain as this year," said Safa Issa. "We used to get snow up to a metre high. Now, it's been 10 years since we've seen any." The strain has been compounded by erratic supply of electricity needed to run irrigation systems. "You irrigate for three hours, then stop for three," said Fayez Omais, another local farmer. Suzy Hoayek, an adviser to the Ministry of Energy and Water in Beirut, said a nationwide awareness campaign to reduce consumption would be launched within 10 days. "The most important thing is to manage demand," she said. (Reporting by Joelle Kozaily, Writing by Tala Ramadan, Editing by Alex Richardson)
The Star
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
US bombing "seriously damaged" Iran's Fordow nuclear site, FM says
FILE PHOTO: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrives to Lebanon to meet with Lebanese officials, at Beirut international airport, Lebanon, June 3, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File photo (Reuters) -The U.S. bombing of Iran's key Fordow nuclear site has "seriously and heavily damaged" the facility, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in an interview with CBS News. "No one exactly knows what has transpired in Fordow. That being said, what we know so far is that the facilities have been seriously and heavily damaged," Araqchi said in the interview broadcast on Tuesday. "The Atomic Energy Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran... is currently undertaking evaluation and assessment, the report of which will be submitted to the government." Intercepted Iranian communications downplayed the extent of damage caused by U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program, the Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing four people familiar with classified intelligence circulating within the U.S. government. President Donald Trump has said the strikes "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, but U.S. officials acknowledge it will take time to form a complete assessment of the damage caused by the U.S. military strikes last weekend. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Saad Sayeed)
