Ya Libnan

UN urges ‘credible’ probe into port blast to prevent a ‘repeat’

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United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon called for a “credible” investigation and accountability of the colossal Beirut port explosion .

File photo: The aftermath of Aug 4th blast is seen at the port of Lebanon’s capital Beirut, on August 5, 2020. – Rescuers worked through the night after two enormous explosions ripped through Beirut’s port, killing at least 191people and injuring thousands, as they wrecked buildings across the Lebanese capital. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)

“Only credible and transparent investigation, complete accountability and full justice can prevent repetitions of such tragedy, such crime,” said Kubis in a tweet.

President Michel Aoun who rejected an international investigation pledged a swift and transparent investigation: “My promise to all the pained Lebanese is that I will not rest until all the facts are known.” 

But 40 days have passed since the blast and so far Aoun has nothing to show for in the investigation that he ordered

“With pain in our hearts we remember the victims of the devastating Beirut blast, forty days after ” said Kubis in a tweet as he marked 40 days since the explosion

The August 4 explosion of thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizer left unsupervised in a port warehouse for years, flattened large parts of the capital, killed at least 190 people, injured thousands and left more than 300,000 homeless.

Lebanese marched Saturday on the presidential palace to denounce a lack of progress in a probe by authorities into the monster blast that ravaged swathes of the capital 40 days ago.

Some marchers carried black versions of the Lebanese flag in a sign of mourning for the people who were killed in the explosion

Twenty-five suspects are in custody over the tragedy

Saturday’s march set off from the justice palace in Beirut to the hillside presidential palace, where there were also hundreds of supporters of President Michel Aoun and heavy army deployment.

Troops fired warning shots into the air as brawls between rival demonstrators broke out

“It is not possible that no one has been put on trial after an explosion like the one that happened on August 4,” anti-government protester Layal Tohme said.

An anti-government protester during a protest against the Lebanese President Michel Aoun near the presidential palace, in Baabda east of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 . The protester is holding a poster that reads ” He knew” This was in reference to the huge August 4 explosion at Beirut Port. Aoun knew about the 2750 tons of Ammonium Nitrate that exploded at the port 2 weeks before the explosion and did nothing about it . The army fired rubber bullets and live rounds in the air to disperse the protesters trying to march to the presidential palace during an anti-government demonstration. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) Source: AP

“The country is collapsing,” she added.

Carla Moukahal, a critic of Aoun, said the president must step down.

“I came here to bring down this corrupt political system. We want to oust Michel Aoun. Enough is enough,” said the 19-year-old.

A protest movement that erupted in October last year has been revived since the blast, which rekindled smouldering rage against official neglect and a political class accused of corruption.

No high-ranking political official has been arrested as part of the probe.

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