According to L’Orient Today, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun “calls on the judiciary to “prove its independence and its ability to deliver justice to the victims” (https://tinyurl.com/msxvd9cn). Will the indictment be delivered soon, ideally on or close to the sixth anniversary of the Beirut port explosion?
Even if this overdue indictment is not delayed further, will justice be served? Or will it be largely unfulfilled as it was in the case of the 2005 assassination of Former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, along with MANY other innocent citizens? As a reminder, Lebanon paid approximately half of the costs of the UN-Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL). The final STL indictment was rather disappointing.
Anyhow, Bambi sends her utmost respect to the people of Lebanon on the evening of the anniversary of their capital’s human-made tragedy of August 4, 2020. Love to all the families of the victims, injured people, and everyone affected by the traumatic criminal negligence.
In addition to music, this post ends with the beautiful words on X of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, which reminded us of the inspiring solidarity and unity among the Lebanese people from all regions on August 5th, 2020, that is, the next day of the Beirut port explosion. If you wish, you may read a quick English translation by Mr. Google Translate.
“I recognize the depth of the national wound that continues to bleed, and I understand the magnitude of the pain borne by the families of the martyrs and victims. Yet, on this sixth anniversary of the August 4th explosion, I reiterate: there can be no compromise at the expense of justice—even if it is sometimes delayed. Truth alone has the power to heal this profound national wound.
Let no one doubt that there is no political cover for any official—regardless of their position—whether regarding the Beirut Port explosion or any other matter; accountability will spare no one.
Amidst the tragedy of August 4th, let us also remember August 5th—the day Beirut rose up, driven by its people and by the young men and women of Lebanon who rushed from every region to clear the rubble, support one another, and restore hope to the city. May August 4th remain a day for truth, justice, and accountability, and may August 5th be a day for Beirut, for recovery, and for solidarity and unity among the Lebanese people“.
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