Six months on from a blast at Beirut port that killed more than 200, the grief is still raw for the families and friends of the dead.
On Thursday, dozens gathered at the port's entrance under dark clouds for a vigil to mark six months since an explosion that continues to haunt the shattered city.
Pictures of the dead glared at the soldiers and officers standing guard outside the still devastated port.
Six months ago, the buildings were destroyed by one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. Today the site is a focus of anguish.
One woman collapsed as she broke down wailing.
Shortly after that, an ambulance with paramedics clad in full PPE skirted past the crowd – a nagging reminder of the country's concurrent crisis.
Lebanon is theoretically in lockdown due to a devastating surge in Covid-19 cases, though that has done little to smother the calls for justice.
Jospeh Matta's brother Charbel, an officer with the Internal Security Forces, was killed attempting to rescue others. On Thursday, he made an emotional plea to the movement that has – so far – not provided many answers for the events of August 4, 2020.
“We want justice and that’s all, it’s the least we can give our martyrs,” he said.
"My Brother loved Lebanon and the Lebanese people. His colleagues who survived the blast told me that after the first explosion, he ran to help his colleagues, and it was God's will for him to die in an act of braveness."
Despite the families' pleas, justice has not been forthcoming.
A slew of low-ranking port-employees have been arrested and held without charge, but senior officials have refused to appear in court for questioning and the investigation has become politicised.
Efforts have so far focused on 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which was being stored incorrectly in the port.
The fertiliser had been in the port since 2013, and its ignition caused the devastating blast.
Yet, for all the obfuscation, those who knew the victims insist they are not going away.
"We won't forgive, we won't forget. We won't get tired of going after you legally, not until we have justice," said Ibrahim Hoteit, a spokesman for the families of those killed in the blast.
Earlier in the day, France's Ambassador criticised the country's authorities for failing to deliver on the investigation.
“Six months after the explosion, it is unacceptable that the Lebanese people should still be waiting for answers from its leaders,” Anne Grillo said in a statement.
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More on animal trafficking
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE%20SQUAD
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
The specs: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
Price, base / as tested: Dh259,000
Engine: 6.4-litre V8
Power: 475hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 640Nm @ 4,300rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
Tales of Yusuf Tadros
Adel Esmat (translated by Mandy McClure)
Hoopoe
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Honeymoonish
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
