• This Thursday, a demonstration against the explosion of the port of Beirut left at least six dead in Lebanon;

  • The investigation continues to increase tensions in a country in the midst of an economic and social crisis. 

  • Can the situation escalate further and Lebanon experience a new civil war? 

Once again, Lebanon is plunged into chaos. This Thursday, a demonstration against the examining magistrate Tarek Bitar, in charge of the investigation around the explosion in the port of Beirut, turned into a tragedy. A first assessment reports at least six dead and about thirty wounded, following bursts of automatic fire. Hezbollah and the Amal party, two Shiite parties in the country which had called for the protest, claim that the demonstrators were the targets of armed men posted on the rooftops, and accuse the Lebanese forces, a former Christian militia, which denied .

Judge Tarek Bitar has faced criticism from Hezbollah and the Amal party for months.

The issue of the explosion in the port of Beirut, which occurred on August 4, 2020 and which left at least 214 dead and more than 6,500 injured, remains extremely sensitive in a country still bruised and plunged into a major economic and social crisis.

A paralyzed government, a country of arms

A first judge was dismissed from the case, and it is now Tarek Bitar who is accused by the two Shiite parties of politicizing the case. Karim Emile-Bitar, professor at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), describes the man of the law: “Judge Tarek Bitar has a reputation for integrity and competence, nothing indicates that it is politicized or manipulated by foreign powers, but it comes up against a lot of obstacles from the political class. Many politicians do not wish to be heard by this judge ”.

The two parties suspended their participation in the government, paralyzing it de facto, and raising fears of the risk of civil war in the country. They demand the withdrawal of Judge Tarek Bitar before returning from the government. “Problem”, because of the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers, the authorities are unable to do so, bogging down tensions.

"Hezbollah has found its martyrs and takes the opportunity to strengthen its demands and put pressure," notes Amine Bou Ezzeddine, political scientist and specialist in the region.

The party has indicated that it does not accept being at the origin of a new civil war but that it will not leave its martyrs without revenge either.

What to put pressure on the government and on the country.

"It is for the moment a media battle and pressure, but it could degenerate if the other parties decide to stand up," continues Amine Bou Ezzeddine.

War threatens

Paralyzed power, threat of revenge, the specter of war is indeed there.

“People are afraid and out of fear take refuge in an increasingly assertive communitarianism, believing that unity will be their strength.

They give in to increasingly extreme rhetoric, wanting strong leaders, pointing the finger at other communities, ”sadly depicts Karim-Emile Bitar.

If no one in Lebanon wants war, Amine Bou Ezzeddine adds: “In the country, following the terrible economic crisis, people have nothing more to lose, which is always a favorable breeding ground.

In addition, the Lebanese have armed themselves with the crisis.

For the expert, therefore, a civil war cannot be ruled out.

No forgiveness without justice

Legislative elections are expected in April and May 2022, and according to Karim-Emile Bitar, they carry the hope of a renewal of the political class ... provided they take place correctly, which is far from certain in a country also on the verge of implosion. And that leaves whatever may still happen to the long months of crisis.

According to him, the only solution to get out of it in the long term, to finally shed light on the explosion of the port with an independent and firm justice.

Not won in this country of course, but essential specifies the professor: “It is because this justice is seriously hampered that the country is on the brink of civil war.

If justice is done, tensions will subside.

The expert recalls in particular that at the end of the last civil war, the Lebanese leaders were directly pardoned by the power in place, because of the "real politik", which, far from lowering tensions, does not only made them stronger.

In Lebanon, wounds open much more easily than they close.

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Lebanon: Six dead in a demonstration against the investigation into the explosion at the port of Beirut

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  • Hezbollah

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  • Civil war

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