Beirut Blast Was A Disaster Waiting To Happen

Since 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were offloaded and stored unsafely in the port, two presidents — Michel Suleiman and Michel Aoun — and four prime ministers — Najib Mikati, Tammam Salam, Saad Hariri and Hassan Diab — have been in office

- Michael Jansen

The powerful explosion at Beirut port that devastated nearby neighbourhods was a dreadful accident in-waiting for which the country’s politicians shun blame. In well run countries, presidents and/or prime ministers accept ultimate responsibility for what happens on their watches. “The buck stops here,” is a phrase popularised by US President Harry Truman (1945-53), who took the view that since he was decision-maker he was obliged to accept responsibility for his decisions.

Since 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were off-loaded and stored unsafely in the port, two presidents — Michel Suleiman and Michel Aoun — and four prime ministers — Najib Mikati, Tammam Salam, Saad Hariri, and Hassan Diab — have been in office. These men and the others serving with them have shrugged off blame.

“Passing the buck” has long been the Lebanese way of dealing with incompetence and negligence.

It is significant that Nassif Hitti, a former Arab League diplomat, stepped down as foreign minister shortly before the blast. He argued, “I participated in this government on the basis that I have one employer named Lebanon, and I found (instead) many employers and conflicting interests.” He warned Lebanon was becoming a failed state and said if the politicians do not “come together around the interests of the Lebanese people and save them, then the ship, God forbid, will sink with everyone on board.” His reference to Lebanon as a sinking ship was bitterly apposite.