Lebanese, French officials float a plan to rebuild Beirut port nearly 4 years after huge explosion

By ABBY SEWELL
Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — Three and a half years after hundreds of tons of improperly stored ammonium nitrate ignited at the Beirut port, setting off one of the world’s biggest non-nuclear explosions, Lebanese and French officials have put forward a plan for reconstruction and reorganization of the port. The French government funded the development of the plan presented Wednesday by two French engineering firms, Artelia and Egis. It will focus on rebuilding quays damaged in the explosion, reorganizing the port’s layout to streamline traffic, and shifting the facility to solar power. Lebanon will need to come up with an estimated $60- $80 million to complete the reconstruction. It plans on using the port’s revenues.