BEIRUT – Lebanon’s president said an investigation into the Beirut port warehouse explosion was looking at whether it was the result of external interference, in addition to simple negligence or an accident, his office said on Friday.
The prime minister and presidency have said 2,750 tonnes of highly explosive ammonium nitrate, which is used in making fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years without safety measures at the port warehouse.
It blew up on Tuesday, sending a mushroom cloud and fireball into the sky, killing at least 154 people and smashing a swathe of the city. About 5,000 were also injured.
‘The cause has not been determined yet. There is a possibility of external interference through a rocket or bomb or other act’, President Michel Aoun said in comments carried by local media and confirmed his office.
He said he has asked French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Beirut on Thursday, ‘to secure aerial images to determine what happened and if the French do not have them, we will request them from another source’.
An official source familiar with the initial investigations told Reuters on Wednesday inaction and negligence was to blame for the explosion, after the matter came before several committees and judges and ‘nothing was done’ for years.
The United States said this week it had not ruled out the possibility of an attack, while Israel, which has fought several wars with Lebanon, has been swift to deny any role.
Aoun said the probe would be conducted in three parts: ‘First, how the explosive material entered and was stored…second whether the explosion was a result of negligence or an accident…and third the possibility that there was external interference’.
Aoun, who has promised a full investigation, said 20 port officials had been detained as part of the investigation.
The central bank is froze the accounts of seven individuals, including the port chief and the head of customs.
The source familiar with the initial investigation said a fire had started at port warehouse 9 on Tuesday and spread to warehouse 12, where the ammonium nitrate was stored.
1
U.S. Imposes Wide Array Of Sanctions On Russia For ‘Malign’ Actions
The Unites States on Thursday imposed a boar array of sanctions on Russia to punish it for election interference, cyber – hacking, bullying Ukraine and other ‘malign’ acts. The measures blacklisted Russian companies, expelled Russian diplomats and placed limits on the Russian sovereign debt market in steps sure to anger Moscow. Among the actions, President … More U.S. Imposes Wide Array Of Sanctions On Russia For ‘Malign’ Actions
Queen Elizabeth Returns To Royal Duties Four Days After Her Husband’s Death – PM Media
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth return to royal duties on Tuesday, four days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, in an event to mark the retirement of her household’s most senior official, PA Media reported. The queen hosted a ceremony as the Earl Peel stepped down as Lord Chamberlain, the report added. Philip, who has … More Queen Elizabeth Returns To Royal Duties Four Days After Her Husband’s Death – PM Media
Arab Coalition Destroys Houthi Drone Targeting Saudi Arabia
The Arab coalition destroyed a Houthi explosive – laden drone launched toward Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Al – Ekhbariya reported. The drone targeting Jazan is the latest in a long line of attacks against the Kingdom by the Iran – back Houthi militia. The coalition said the attack is a continuation of the Houthi’s systematic … More Arab Coalition Destroys Houthi Drone Targeting Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Ithra Celebrates Ramadan With Cultural Events, Activities
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is celebrating the holy month of Ramadan with a wide selection of cultural events and interactive activities. Ithra is offering visitors a chance to take part in events focused on national traditions and Saudi Arabian heritage, as well as different interactive workshops. The centre’s Ramadan program also includes a collection … More Saudi Arabia’s Ithra Celebrates Ramadan With Cultural Events, Activities
Reuters Names Alessandra Galloni As Its Next Editor – In – Chief
Reuters News has name one of its top editors, Alessandra Galloni, as it its next editor-in-chief, the first woman to lead the global – spanning news agency in its 170-year history. A native of Rome, Galloni, 47, will replace Stephen J. Adler, who is retiring this month after leading the newsroom for the past decade. … More Reuters Names Alessandra Galloni As Its Next Editor – In – Chief
Britain’s Prince Philip Has Died
Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth who played a leading figure in the British royal family for almost seven decades, has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace said on Friday. The Duke of Edniburgh, as he was been y his wife’s side through her 69-year reign, the longest in British history, during which time he … More Britain’s Prince Philip Has Died
Former Secretary Of State Pompeo To Join Fox News Media
Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will join Fox News Media as a contributor, the news network controlled by media baron Rupert Murdoch said on Thursday. Pompeo is the latest former Trump administration official to join the network. Other notable names include former White House secretary Kayleigh McEnany and Trump’s top economic adviser Larry … More Former Secretary Of State Pompeo To Join Fox News Media
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Announces Opening Of Sakaka Power Plant
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the opening of the Sakaka IPP PV power plat, the Kingdom’s first renewable energy project, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Thursday. The launch of the Sakaka IPP PV and the signing power purchase agreements (PPA) for seven new projects are the result of King Salman’s … More Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Announces Opening Of Sakaka Power Plant
Tennis – French Open Postponed To May 30 Amid COVID-19 Crisis
This year’s French Open has been postponed by a week due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will begin on May 30, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) said on Thursday. The claycourt Grand Slam, which was postponed by four months last year and took place in front of limited crowds, will finish on June 13, two … More Tennis – French Open Postponed To May 30 Amid COVID-19 Crisis
Saudi Crown Prince Launches AlUla’s Design Vision ‘A Journey Through Time’
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the design vision for the ‘Journey Through Time’ scheme, with the aim of responsible and sustainable revitalization and rehabilitation of the main archaeological area in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla in a unique cultural and natural environment. AlUla is in the northwest of the Kingdom, where the project is … More Saudi Crown Prince Launches AlUla’s Design Vision ‘A Journey Through Time’
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
