Lebanese President Aoun vows justice on fifth anniversary of Beirut Port explosion

On the fifth anniversary of the deadly Beirut port explosion, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun pledged on Monday that accountability will not be evaded any longer.

“Justice is coming,” he declared in a message to the nation and to the victims’ families.

The August 4, 2020, blast, considered one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosions in history, killed over 220 people, injured more than 6,500, and leveled entire neighborhoods in the capital. The disaster was caused by the ignition of nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been improperly stored for years in a port warehouse. Despite repeated warnings, no officials have yet been held accountable.

Aoun promised that “the law applies to all, without exception” and emphasized that the Lebanese state “is committed to uncovering the whole truth, no matter the obstacles or how high the positions” involved.

Addressing victims' families directly, he said, “The blood of your loved ones will not be in vain… Justice is coming, accountability is coming.”

Monday was declared a national day of mourning in Lebanon. Marches and protests are expected throughout the day, with demonstrators converging on the blast site to demand justice and transparency.

The investigation into the explosion has faced years of delays and political interference. However, according to a senior judicial source, Judge Tarek Bitar has now completed the questioning of suspects and is awaiting procedural formalities and responses to information requests sent to several Arab and European states. These steps are seen as the final phase before the judge issues formal indictments.

“We are working with all available means to ensure the investigations are completed with transparency and integrity,” Aoun added.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who once served on the International Court of Justice, also weighed in. Speaking on Sunday, he emphasized that uncovering the truth was a matter of national responsibility and criticized Lebanon’s long history of unchecked official misconduct.

Judge Bitar resumed his investigation earlier this year after both Aoun and Salam took office with pledges to safeguard judicial independence. His inquiry had previously been stalled due to strong opposition from Hezbollah, which had accused him of political bias and demanded his removal.

Mariana Fodoulian, representing the families of the victims, expressed continued frustration with the lack of progress. “For five years, officials have been trying to evade accountability, always thinking they are above the law,” she said. “We’re not asking for anything more than the truth. We won’t stop until we get comprehensive justice.”

In a symbolic move, Culture Minister Ghassan Salame announced that the damaged grain silos at the port, partially destroyed in the blast, would be listed as historic landmarks. Families of the victims have long pushed for the structures to be preserved as a permanent memorial to one of the darkest days in Lebanon’s history.