Culture Minister Declares Beirut Port Silos a Historic Monument

On the fifth anniversary of the August 4 explosion, Minister of Culture Ghassan Salameh announced that the Beirut Port silos have been added to Lebanon’s general inventory of historic monuments. The decision follows a request made by the families of the blast victims.

Salameh stated that the move aims to preserve public memory and protect the families’ right to truth and justice, particularly in light of earlier attempts to demolish the structure, including a 2022 effort by the previous government citing structural risks.

Now that the silos are officially listed, any alterations or demolition will require approval from the Ministry of Culture. They are classified as a site of “special historical and national value” and are protected under Lebanon’s architectural heritage laws.

The designation is seen as a key step in preventing demolition and recognizing the silos as a physical reminder of the explosion, which killed more than 200 people and caused widespread destruction across Beirut.

Still, the decision is largely symbolic. The investigation remains stalled, and no one has been held accountable. Preserving memory matters. But without justice, it remains incomplete.

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