The dangerous material had been stored in a warehouse since being seized by customs authorities in 2014, despite repeated warnings from port officials that it posed a risk. Its ignition seemed to encapsulate everything that is wrong with Lebanon at this point in its turbulent history: a weak state, inept government, corrupt officials and, many said, the existence of a parallel state run by the powerful Hezbollah movement, as well as other Lebanese factions that used the port for smuggling operations.

Source: Washington Post December 29, 2020 15:33 UTC