Warnings flashed for years of explosives at heart of Beirut

At least 10 times over past six years, authorities from Leban's customs, military, security ncies and judiciary raised alarm that a massive stockpile of explosive chemicals was being kept with almost safeguard at port in heart of Beirut, newly surfaced documents show.

Yet in a circle of negligence, thing was done — and on Tuesday, 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate blew up, obliterating city's main commercial hub and spreing death and wreck for miles around.

President Michel Aoun, in office since 2016, said Friday he was first told of dangerous stockpile nearly three weeks ago and immediately ordered military and security ncies to do “what was needed.” But he suggested his responsibility ended re, saying he h authority over port and that previous governments h been told of its presence.

“Do you kw how many problems have been accumulating?” Aoun replied when a reporter pressed wher he should have followed up on his order.

documents surfacing in social media since blast underscore corruption, negligence and incompetence of Leban's long-ruling political oligarchy, and its failure to provide its people with basic needs, including security.

Investigators probing blast have focused on personnel at Port of Beirut — Leban's main port, so well kwn for corruption its common nickname is Ali Baba's Cave.

So far, at least 16 port employees have been detained and ors questioned. On Friday, investigators questioned and n ordered detention of he of port, Hassan Koraytem, country's customs chief, Bri Daher, and Daher's predecessor.

But many Lebanese say rot permeates political system and extends to country's top leership.

explosion of ammonium nitrate, after apparently being set off by a fire, was biggest explosion in Leban's history. kwn death toll reached 154, including bodies recovered from rubble Friday; more than 5,000 people were wounded. Billions of dollars in dam was caused across city, where many are too impoverished by Leban's financial crisis to rebuild.

Aoun's comments were most senior confirmation that top politicians h been aware of stockpile.

“ material h been re for seven years, since 2013. It has been re, and y said it is dangerous and I am t responsible. I don't kw where it was placed. I don't even kw level of danger. I have authority to deal directly with port,” he told a press conference.

He said that when he was told of stockpile on July 20, he immediately ordered military and security officials “to do what is needed.” “re are ranks that should kw ir duties, and y were all informed. ... When you refer a document and say, 'Do what is needed,' isn't that an order?” he ded.

He said explosion may have been caused by negligence, but investigation would also look at possibility that it could have been caused by a bomb or or “external intervention.” He said he h asked France for satellite ims from time of blast to see if y showed any planes or missiles.

ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in fertilizers and explosives, originated from a cargo ship called MV Rhosus that h been traveling from country of Georgia to Mozambique in 2013. It me an unscheduled detour to Beirut as Russian shipowner was struggling with debts and hoped to earn some extra cash in Leban. Unable to pay port fees and reportedly leaking, it was impounded.

first kwn document about it came on Feb. 21, 2014, three months after its arrival. Col. Joseph Skaff, a senior customs official, wrote to customs authority's anti-smuggling department warning that material — still on board ship docked at port — was “extremely dangerous and endangers public safety.” Col. Skaff died in March 2017 in unclear circumstances. He was found near his house in Beirut after allegedly falling from a height.

Medical reports at time gave different explanations, one saying it was an accident, or saying re was unusual bruising on his face.

On June 27, 2014, J Maalouf, a judge for urgent matters, wrote to Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, warning ship was carrying dangerous material and could sink.

He said ministry should deal with ship, remove ammonium nitrate and “place it in a suitable place that it ( ministry) chooses, and it ( material) should be under its protection.” Soon after that, shipment was moved into Warehouse 12 at port, where it remained until it exploded. It is unclear if it was officially under ministry's control.

Leban's LBC TV station reported that in October 2015, army intervened after learning of delays in dealing with shipment. Military intelligence sent an expert who tested material and found that nitrogen levels were 34.7%, considered a highly explosive level, LBC said.

army reported to customs department that material should be quickly removed, suggesting it be exported. customs referred report to back to judge of urgent matters, LBC said.