Lebanese vent rage against its leaders after the explosion; the Protestants gather

BEIRUT (Reuters) – As Beirut mourns its deaths and struggles with the scale of reconstruction following this week’s massive explosion, some Lebanese angered by the government’s response called on foreign states on Saturday to overthrow their leaders fall and run the land.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Martyrs’ Square in the city center for a demonstration criticizing the government’s handling of the biggest explosion in Beirut’s history. The explosion in the harbor killed 154 people, injured 5,000 and destroyed a swathe of the city.

The Protestants had mocked wooden piers with noises, and one poster read: “Walk or hang”.

The government has promised to hold those responsible accountable.

Some residents, who are struggling to clean up damaged homes, have complained the government sees them as corrupt – there have been months of protests against their handling of a deep economic crisis ahead of this week’s disaster – let her down again.

“We have no confidence in our government,” University student Celine Dibo said as she scrubbed blood from the walls of her shattered apartment building. “I wanted the United Nations to take over Lebanon.”

Several people said they were not at all surprised that French President Emmanuel Macron had visited their closed neighborhoods near the epicenter of the blast this week, while Lebanese leaders did not.

“We live in ground zero. I hope another country just takes over us. Our leaders are a bunch of corrupt people, ”said psychologist Maryse Hayek, 48, whose parents’ home was destroyed in the blast.

The Kataeb party of Lebanon, a Christian group opposed to the government backed by Iran-affiliated Hezbollah, announced on Saturday the dismissal of its three lawmakers from parliament.

“I invite all honorable (legislators) to resign so that the people can decide who will govern them without anyone threatening them,” said party member Samy Gemayel, announcing the move during the funeral of a prominent member of ‘ the group that died in the explosion.

Macron, who visited Beirut on Thursday, promised angry crowds that aid in renovating the city would not fall into “corrupt hands”. He will host a donor conference for Lebanon via video link on Sunday, his office said.

The Prime Minister and the Presidency have said that 2,750 tonnes of highly explosive ammonium nitrate, which is used in the manufacture of fertilizers and bombs, were stored for six years without security measures at the port warehouse.

President Michel Aoun said on Friday that an investigation would investigate if it was caused by a bomb or other external interference. Aoun said the investigation would also weigh in if the explosion was due to negligence or an accident. Twenty people had been arrested so far, he added.

‘WE CANNOT KNOW’

Some residents wondered how they would ever rebuild their lives.

In fact, Bilal Hassan used his bare hands to try to remove debris from his home. He slept on a dusty couch next to pieces of shattered glass.

When his three injured teenage children ran their lives, they left blood stains on the stairs and walls.

“There is really nothing they can do. We can not afford to build it up and no one is helping us, ”he said, standing next to a large teddy bear blowing across his house, and a damaged photo of him and his wife.

Bulldozers plowed through the wreckage of muddy houses and long rows of flat cars as soldiers stood by them. Volunteers with shovels streamed through streets.

Danielle Chemaly said her charity, whose headquarters were destroyed, had provided assistance to 70 homeless families.

“We have helped people first, but we do not know what we can do for families in the future. It requires big projects, ”she said.

Officials have said the blast could have caused losses of $ 15 billion. That is a bill that Lebanon cannot pay after having already failed on a mountain of debt – more than 150% of economic output – and with talks stopping over a rescue of the International Monetary Fund.

AID OF PANTS

France and other countries have sent emergency aid to Lebanon, including doctors, and tons of health equipment and food. The blast destroyed the only major grain silo of Lebanon and UN agencies assisting in providing emergency food and medical assistance.

Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit said after a meeting with Aoun on Saturday that he would try to mobilize Arab efforts to provide support to Lebanon. Speaking even after meeting Aoun, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said his country is ready to help rebuild the port.

For ordinary Lebanese, the scale of destruction is overwhelming.

“It felt like a mini-atom bomb,” said George Rohana, sitting next to a supermarket that was being demolished.

“Now we have a situation where people are stealing metals and other items from destruction,” he said. ‘The next day someone ran away with a broken toaster.’

Marita Abou Jawda was distributed bread and cheese to victims of the blast.

“Macron offered to help and our government did nothing. It has always been that way, ”she said. “After Macron visited, I played the French national anthem in my car all day.”