After the explosions at the port of Beirut, anger is brewing in Lebanon. On Saturday August 8, thousands of Lebanese intend to demonstrate against the political class which they blame for the terrible explosion which left more than 150 dead.

Two days after a historic visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, diplomatic activity is intensifying in Beirut to organize international support for the stricken country, on the eve of a donor conference.

For the fourth day in a row, Beirut woke up to the sound of broken glass picked up in the street by the inhabitants and an army of volunteers, equipped with brooms, mobilized from the first hour.

>> To see: "In pictures: the new face of Beirut, devastated capital"

The explosion at the port on Tuesday, the circumstances of which are still not clear, was reportedly caused by a fire that affected a huge deposit of ammonium nitrate, a dangerous chemical.

The disaster left at least 154 dead, more than 5,000 injured, at least 120 of whom are in critical condition, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, as well as nearly 300,000 homeless. More than 60 people remain missing, as hopes of finding survivors dwindle.

"The day of judgment"

Still in shock after this explosion of violence unparalleled in the history of the country, many Lebanese demand accountability from a political class they denounce the negligence and corruption.

On the Place des Martyrs, epicenter of popular protest since last October and where the demonstration is scheduled for the afternoon, under the theme "The Day of Judgment", activists have already erected a gallows.

“After three days of clearing away the rubble and healing our wounds, it is time to let our anger explode and punish them for killing people,” said Farès al-Hablabi, 28. "We must stand up against the whole system (...), the change must be commensurate with the scale of the disaster."

If the movement has run out of steam in recent months, especially due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the tragedy could revive it again.

"The fear is that the authorities will profit from this disaster"

"We have nothing more to lose. Everyone must take to the streets," said Hayat Nazer, an activist behind many solidarity initiatives.

The increasingly maligned President Michel Aoun made it clear on Friday that he opposed an international investigation, saying the explosion could have been caused by negligence or by a missile.

As foreign officials succeed one another and international aid floods in, Lebanon's hated rulers are clearly trying to take advantage of the situation, said analyst Nasser Yassin of the Issam Fares Institute.

"The fear is that the authorities will take advantage of this disaster and the Arab and international attention to get back on the water," he said.

With AFP

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