Lebanese parliament session on Beirut blast postponed due to lack of quorum

By Stephanie Rady

BEIRUT (AA) - Lebanon’s parliament on Thursday postponed a public session to discuss last year’s massive explosion at the port of Beirut due to the lack of a quorum.

Adnan Daher, parliament’s secretary-general, said in a statement that only 39 out of 117 deputies were in attendance, short of the minimum number needed.

The session is being postponed to a date to be determined later.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri had called on lawmakers to hold a session on the blast based on articles in the Constitution that allow parliament to open an investigation before a special court for presidents and ministers.

A catastrophic explosion rocked Beirut’s port in August 2020, killing over 200 people and causing massive damage, further weakening Lebanon’s already fragile economy.