The Lebanese investigation into the deadly explosion of August 4 in the port of Beirut is progressing. The ruling judge wants investigations to be carried out against three ministers for their possible responsibility in this disaster, announced Tuesday, November 24, a judicial source.
Judge Fadi Sawan demanded in a letter to parliament – a body of which is empowered to prosecute members of the government – the opening of an investigation into the minister of public works and transport Michel Najjar, as well as those of finance Ghazi Wazni and justice Marie-Claude Najm, according to the same source.
He also asked him to consider the role of several other people who have held the same ministerial positions in the three previous governments.
Refusal of an international investigation
Judge Sawan’s own investigations have given rise to “Certain suspicions as to the responsibility of these ministers and their failures in the management of the presence in the port of ammonium nitrate” whose explosion of hundreds of tons left more than 200 dead and thousands of wounded and devastated a large part of the capital, added this source. As part of the ongoing investigation, 25 people have so far been arrested.
Lebanese officials have rejected the idea of an international investigation into the case, despite calls in Lebanon and abroad for independent investigations.
The government resigned after the tragedy, but continues to deal with current affairs, as a new one has still not been able to be formed.
