[NEWS] An FBI team will arrive in Beirut shortly to investigate the causes of the explosion at the port

[YaKuZa--BoSs]

The US Undersecretary for Political Affairs again demanded a "transparent" investigation of the tragedy

 

 

The US Undersecretary of Political Affairs, David Hale, visited the port of Beirut on Saturday, which was destroyed by the explosion of last day 4, he again demanded a "transparent" investigation of the tragedy that has caused at least 177 deaths and 6,000 injuries. , and said an FBI team will be arriving shortly.

Hale confirmed that a team from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will arrive "at the end of this (next) week" in Beirut to participate in the investigations, according to statements collected by the National News Agency (ANN). Lebanese.

The American envoy had announced on Thursday upon his arrival in Beirut that the FBI would collaborate in the investigation with the Lebanese authorities, at their request.

GUARANTEE SOVEREIGNTY
Today, on the last day of his visit to Lebanon, he affirmed that "the State needs to control the borders and official facilities, such as the port of Beirut, to guarantee the sovereignty of the country."

The Lebanese government acknowledged that behind the devastating explosion is a shipment of almost 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, which had been stored in the port since 2014 without due precautions.

However, what caused the deflagration of the fertilizer is still unknown.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun admitted that he learned of the presence of a "large quantity" of the hazardous material in the port of Beirut on July 20, two weeks before the explosion.

Hale met with Aoun on Friday, demanding reforms and fighting corruption so that international financial aid for Lebanon can be unlocked.

Several Western powers, first of all France, have offered their support to Lebanon in the aftermath of the port tragedy and several senior officials have visited the country, including French President Emmanuel Macron.