Aoun Argues against Int'l Probe in Port Blast, Vows Accountability, Truth
President Michel Aoun on Friday said calls for an international probe into the catastrophic blast that rocked Beirut’s port are aimed at “distorting the truth,” as he said the disaster was caused by either negligence or an attack.
“There is no meaning for any verdict if it takes too long to be issued and the judiciary must be swift, because late justice is not justice,” Aoun said at a press conference.
“Like the Lebanese people, I’m angry about the blast that occurred at the port and our goal today is to unveil the truth,” the president added.
“In war as well as in peacetime, no one can push me to commit a mistake and no one can prevent me from unveiling the facts,” Aoun went on to say.
“I do not come from palaces but rather from the people,” he said.
Offering the Lebanese warm condolences, Aoun said “the real consolation is the fulfillment of justice,” stressing that “in the face of this justice, no senior or low-rank official will enjoy impunity.”
As for the explosion, the president said it could have been "negligence or foreign interference through a missile or bomb."
“I have personally asked the French president to provide us with aerial images so that we determine whether there were aircraft or missiles in the air. If the French do not possess such images, we will request them from other nations,” Aoun added.
As for the local probe, Aoun said 20 people are being interrogated.
“But no one can be arrested or put in jail before investigations,” he added.
Asked about French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks Thursday about change in Lebanon, Aoun said Lebanon's “paralyzed” political system should be reconsidered.
“We are before changes and a reconsideration of our current system that is based on consensus,” the president added.
“If we don’t manage to rule ourselves, no one can rule us… and Lebanese sovereignty won’t be violated during my tenure,” Aoun emphasized.
07 August 2020, 17:02
08
This guy is an IDIOT. You never ruled you are a puppet. Hang the SOB!!!
07 August 2020, 17:37
010
Hopefully Aoun lives until he is 100 so he and Gebran Bassil can rot in prison.
Immediate focus before evidence hidden and people are assassinated is to confirm if there was any HizbIran arm storage at the airport that contributed to Nitrate explosion so Iran and Hizb can be sued for full direct and indirect damage. All honest lawyers should volunteer their time for this cause to restore a grain of justice.
07 August 2020, 17:43
05
If Hizb/Iran found guilty, an international tribunal can link all future oil income of Iran to pay retribution similar to what Iraq oil revenue was used to pay reparation to Kuwait and managed by international organization.
14 August 2020, 05:36
00
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07 August 2020, 17:09
02
I am so ashamed that he is the face of our beloved country. How embarrassing.
07 August 2020, 17:13
05
very funny this so called President. Tell me what internal investigation has lead to any one arrested for the variety of corruptions, theft and whatever. NON.
07 August 2020, 17:14
04
Such 'solid' arguments---I am sure fed to him by his advisors and rubber stamped by kizb
and seriously
“We are before changes and a reconsideration of our current system that is based on consensus,” the president added.
“If we don’t manage to rule ourselves, no one can rule us… and Lebanese sovereignty won’t be violated during my tenure,” Aoun emphasized. And I guess kizb and iran are excluded.
Go back to your dreams since you seem to be napping a lot lately.
07 August 2020, 17:29
16
“بتبقى انت الحلم، والحلم ما بيشيخ
الله يحميك
بي الكل
A fearless man - A real leader - A true statesman.
07 August 2020, 17:29
12
He's already concluded that Israel's responsible and those arrested yesterday should be freed.
07 August 2020, 17:38
03
I hope that he will get up off his fat backside and explain EXACTLY how Israel is responsible.
I mean, was it Israel that forced the ship into Beirut Port 6 years ago when the owners went bankrupt- No. Was it Israel that forced the unloading of the cargo and storing it in the port warehouse - No. Was it Israel which persuaded the courts to refuse to destroy this cargo - No. So in actual fact it is perhaps his friends, the people who are in charge of everything that happens in Beirut Port, the terrorists of Hizballah.
07 August 2020, 17:31
09
lol @ 'Lebanese sovereignty won’t be violated during my tenure'
07 August 2020, 17:32
07
Of course he is against an internation probe. He already knows all the answers as to who is responsible and wants the usual cover-up.
07 August 2020, 18:28
06
Since last year Aoun and later Diab received multiple official reports about the dangerous substance in hangar #12 and did nothing, their head should be the first ones to roll.
07 August 2020, 21:07
05
Excellent, now you can combine this investigation with the one you're already solving regarding the stolen money. What an efficient government!
07 August 2020, 21:59
03
If these criminals have nothing to hide, they would accept a transparent credible international inquiry !
07 August 2020, 23:47
01
Bring the Guillotine. Nothing else will work. If you don't you will never stop being slaves.
08 August 2020, 00:55
00
A fearless man - A real leader - A true statesman of what? what is left of this country for them to pillage anymore? all rotten political class killon sawa.
08 August 2020, 05:41
02
Sounds exactly like a "president" who has nothing to hide. Keep blaming others to avoid responsibility for your own horrific errors...
08 August 2020, 12:14
00
notice how we have electricity now? cheating people of basic needs is how these people rule
09 August 2020, 02:06
10
Google: Eagledawn is a sleek, medium-furred black she-cat with a broad, white face, a thin muzzle, a white tail with a golden tip, brilliant, bright golden eyes, and an unnaturally fluffy, feathery, golden neck.
Tell me pussy in what the Baabda clown is fearless huh?
