After the blast, Lebanon’s prime minister quits

THE DEAD were still being buried, victims treated, rubble cleared. But less than a week after the massive explosion at Beirut’s port on August 4th, which devastated much of the city centre, Lebanon’s leaders had returned to their usual priority: self-preservation. The prime minister, Hassan Diab, announced his resignation six days after the blast. He will linger on as a caretaker until the country’s political leaders choose a replacement. They are determined to escape blame for a disaster of their own making—and, despite the horror, many Lebanese fear they will succeed.

Everyone can agree the blast was caused by stunning negligence. For six years authorities stored at the port 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in bombs, despite many warnings that this was not a good idea. It may have been heaped in a hangar along with fireworks and other combustible materials. More than 200 people were killed and thousands wounded when the warehouse exploded. An estimated 300,000 people are homeless. Fixing the ruined city could cost $15bn, a quarter of Lebanon’s GDP in 2019.

No one wants to be held responsible for the negligence, however. The judge supervising an investigation is a relative by marriage of Nabih Berri, the parliament’s speaker, whose Amal party wields influence at the port. President Michel Aoun brushes...