The FBI will join Lebanese and international authorities investigating last week’s massive explosion in Beirut that killed at least 172 people, left some 6,000 wounded and left large parts of the capital in ruins, a U.S. official said Thursday.
“The FBI will soon be joining the Lebanese and international investigators, at the invitation of the Lebanese, to help answer questions I know everyone has about the circumstances leading up to this explosion,” the U.S. Under Secretary said. for Political Affairs David Hale to Reporters.
Hale, who has been touring a heavily damaged neighborhood near the port, said the Fed’s participation is one of the ways the US is helping Lebanon deal with the aftermath of the war. enormous explosion.
Meanwhile, cool drone images have emerged from the post-apocalyptic scene in the city with destroyed buildings and widespread ruins.
Also on Thursday, the Lebanese parliament approved a state of emergency in the devastated city in its first session since the catastrophic August 4. The military broad forces provided amid growing anger at corruption and mismanagement.
Under the statement, it could declare military burglars, prevent public meetings and censor the media, and also refer citizens to military tribunals for proven security breaches.
On Monday, Prime Minister Hassan dismissed Diab and the rest of his cabinet after declaring a state of emergency – an action sought by lawmakers, which they granted on Thursday.
After the government resigns, the cabinet is in a state of disarray.
The army now has the power to declare burglars, prevent public meetings and censor the media, as citizens also refer to military tribunals for proven security violations.
The move has been approved by legal groups and others who say the government is already working with increased powers amid the coronavirus outbreak.
It was not yet known what caused the fire responsible for ignoring 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in the port of Beirut for years, after it was confiscated from a damaged Russian cargo ship.
Documents have emerged showing that the country was the top leadership and security officials were aware of the volatile supply.
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