Lebanese President Michel Aoun says it is “impossible” that explosive material in the port of Beirut that caught fire – which resulted in a deadly explosion earlier this month – was caused by Hezbollah weapons.
HEZBOLLAH MILITANT GUILTY FAN 2005 ASSASSINATION OF LEBANON’S EX-PM
Aoun, who is accused of being a puppet of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia group, made the remarks to Italian media Corriere della Sera on Tuesday, by parroting a previous denial by the designated terrorist group.
He said Hezbollah did not store weapons in the port, but the leadership will be pursued.
“Impossible but serious events like these enlighten minds and imagination,” Aoun said when asked about people advancing the theory. However, he added that “even this leadership will be investigated”
Authorities are investigating the devastating explosion on August 4 that killed more than 200 people and injured 7,000 more, resulting in 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in the port of Beirut without the necessary safety measures in flames.
Aoun said the investigation considers negligence, an accident or “external interference” to have caused the explosion.
Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has blamed the theory that Israel – a major enemy – is to blame for the blast, but Israel has denied any involvement.
“Although it seems (it) has been an accident, I want to avoid being accused of not listening to every voice,” Aoun told the Italian daily.
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The president said claims of planes flying through the port just before the blast were “not very credible” but will be further investigated.
