A YEAR AFTER BEIRUT HORROR, LEBANON IN EVEN WORSE SHAPE: Exactly a year ago, the world watched in horror the monstrous blast that ripped apart Beirut’s port and ravaged Lebanon’s capital city, killing more than 200 people. Since much has been written and much has been said about one of the worst non-nuclear man-made explosions, which haunts its survivors, till this day, surely for many years to come. However, not a single official has been tried or held accountable for the disaster. After one year, Lebanon is arguably in even worse shape. The country descended into one crisis after another. The currency lost more than 90% of its value, impoverishing millions. Food and medicines are scarce. Lebanon has almost completely run out of fuel. In Beirut, close to a million people — almost 15% of the Lebanon’s overall population — can’t afford basic goods. Hope Najib Mikati, the new prime-minister designate, will form a cabinet that can tackle myriad problems facing the country. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N R, Senior Associate Editor]
AFP