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Agencies
Lebanese authorities this month signed a contract with a German company to remove dangerous chemicals, which had been stored for more than ten years in the port of Beirut, which witnessed a terrible explosion in August, killing some two hundred people and destroying one great area of the capital.
The interim prime minister’s office said in a statement that the “Combi Lift” company will remove “dangerous, flammable and highly reactive acid materials” from 49 warehouses in the port of Beirut.
The signing of the contract comes three months after the massive explosion caused by the poor storage of a large amount of chemicals.
Some, if not all, of the chemicals the company will remove have been in storage at the port since 2009, although the statement did not provide specific details.
Waiting about three months before signing a contract to remove hazardous materials, which are still in port, can increase feelings of frustration and political confusion among Lebanese in a country whose economy is collapsing after years of mismanagement and corruption.
Anger is sweeping through many Lebanese, especially those who have lost their homes or are still working to repair them since the August 4 explosion, as the results of the investigation into the circumstances of the explosion have not yet been announced.
Jan Kubis, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, wrote on Twitter on November 13: “One hundred days after the national catastrophe that was the explosion in the port of Beirut, one hundred days of investigations with the participation of leading international experts , and yet there is no clarity, accountability and justice. “
Kubis briefed the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Lebanon, pointing to the uncertainty surrounding the investigation, despite multiple requests from citizens for an impartial investigation.
The government resigned after the explosion, but is still doing business, as high-level politicians in Lebanon have yet to agree to form a new government.
The cargo of ammonium nitrate that exploded in August was unloaded at the port in 2014. Authorities ignored several warnings from officials about the dangers of storing this substance there.
Authorities have detained 25 people, including customs and port officials, and say the investigation is being carried out as quickly as possible.
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