Lebanon's prime minister was warned about chemical dump two weeks before massive Beirut blast

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Lebanese security officials warned the prime minister and president last month that the ammonium nitrate stored in Beirut’s port posed a security risk and could destroy the capital if it exploded, documents show.

While the content of the letter was not in the report seen by Reuters, a senior security official said it summed up the findings of a judicial investigation launched in January which concluded the chemicals needed to be secured immediately.

“At the end of the investigation, Prosecutor General Ghassan Oweidat prepared a final report which was sent to the authorities,” he said, referring to the letter sent to the prime minister and president by the General Directorate of State Security, which oversees port security. As protests over the blast raged in Lebanon on Monday, Mr Diab’s government resigned, though it will remain as a caretaker administration until a new cabinet is formed.

Many questions remain over why the shipment of ammonium nitrate docked in Beirut in late 2013. Even more baffling is why such a huge stash of dangerous material, used in bombs and fertilisers, was allowed to remain there for so long. “But until now, no decision has been issued over this matter. After consulting one of our chemical specialists, the expert confirmed that this material is dangerous and is used to produce explosives,” the General Directorate of State Security report said.

 

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Why were authorities so blaze? It's a pathetic indictment on their inaction and disregard for life!

LegioPatriaMea TellEmSteveDave

Terrible indictment. No wonder they all resigned.

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