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Lebanon was already
facing threat and internal crisis since last year. On 4th august 2020
the most massive and destructive accidental explosion took place in Beirut the capital.
The country has
been suffering and burning at its peak now due to accumulation of unfortunate
events in addition to the pandemic the common people are living hopeless life
and are broken from inside.
The series of
unfortunate events in Lebanon are followed according to the timeline
Before the Explosion
The situation of
the country was worsening due to the corona virus outbreak. The country was
facing threat in different areas like economic, political, financial and
health.
Since 2019,
approximately
ten thousand people have taken to streets when the Lebanese pound’s value
started crashing due to government’s corruption and the mismanagement of the
debts on the country.
This
economic crisis increased the inflation rate, since then the prices of basic amenity
have risen. This impacted the common people and blew the country’s
45%polulation below poverty line and approx. 33% was unemployed. People were
struggling to attain food and health security.
There
was a constant protest in the country. Though due to the pandemic the country
had lockdown, that in turn acted as barrier to these daily protests, though the
economic situation remained same.
All
these problems collectively speak about the failure of government machinery.
Since then the discontent has been brewing in Lebanese.
The Explosion
On 4th
of august a powerful explosion in the capital of Lebanon, Beirut made the city
completely wrecked and dead.This catastrophic disaster led to death of 200 people, more than 6000
are badly injured and approx. 300,000 are homeless now.
The blast
caused deep psychological, physical, emotional scars to many. This is a fatal
wound on the status off humanitarian crisis which was already worsening in
2020.
The cause
behind the explosion was unsafely storage of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate
at a warehouse in the port for 6 years. It is used as agricultural fertilizer or
can be used for explosives too. Hence the immediate cause was blamed to the
negligent storage.
According
to a recent finding by Reuters it is discovered that the Lebanon leaders were
warned in July about the stored explosives in Beirut’s port and could destroy
the capital if exploded by Lebanon security but no one acted to remove it.
However, after
analyzing all the basic facts that are in public domain it is yet to come to
light that the situation was supposedly an accident or a planned terrorist
attack.
Protests for Change
There was a
gathering of thousands of people in Beirut’s main square blaming the
politicians for their neglectfulness. They hold an anti-government protest for
4 days after the explosion.
The gathering at
Martyrs Square and outside the parliament building and government headquarters
came amid popular anger against Lebanon’s leadership.
The country’s
ruling class, made up mostly of former civil war-era leaders, is blamed for
widespread corruption, incompetence and mismanagement that contribute in the
catastrophic blast.
The protest came to
a violent turn that resulted where the army issued statement for reminding the
protesters to act in a peaceful and civilized manner, and refrain from blocking
roads and attacking public and private properties.
Political Instability
The flow of
international aids from different countries and NGOs is continuous but the most
tragic moment that took place was when the government resigned from the
position of responsibility.
The prime minister
of Lebanon Mr. Hassan Diad announced that country’s government has resigned due
to the mounting angerin the masses as they felt incapable to handle the
worsening situation of the country.
The protesters
accused the government for their dirty game. This was followed by downfall of
government. The government is criticized by world community for their irresponsibility
and also for denying to act as caretaker government till the next elections.
A Ray of Hope
Lebanon is now an
orphanage who has lost his parents that is the government. History provide
vivid evidence that a broken, chaotic and crisis facing country is often taken
up by a dictator.
Though comparing
the situation of Germany which was facing crisis and war that led to rise of
Hitler would not be fair. Because circumstances are different, hence the
parameter would differ the comparative outcome.
Though the
situation in Lebanon may give rise to a benevolent authoritarian who holds the
power of bringing hope and positivity in the hearts of Lebanese and lead the revival
of the country.
This is a crucial
time when the country needs someone who can take concrete and bold steps in
favor of the country and its citizen, and not someone who is elected as it will
be chaotic, as country is already into pieces.
In my view, United
Nation which seems as fair organization to take over the situation should not
interfere directly into the matter, as the political interference of UN has
left country’s like Libya into eternal conflict zone
As we all know that
UN’s decision is determined by the superpower there who may use this as an
opportunity. Also, UN as an international body fails to take hardcore and immediate
steps for the country. Hence it would be wiser to think that a determined and
benevolent leader take’s over the country and works for the good of Lebanon.
Written by - Shalaka Pathak
Edited by – Adrija Saha
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