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“…our goal is to reveal the truth to the people…” Gen Michel Aoun

Lebanon's president says ammonium nitrate caused blast

Aoun vows to uncover the truth behind Beirut blast and punish the guilty

“Lebanese sovereignty will not be compromised in my era.” President Michel Aoun




Aoun vows to uncover the truth behind Beirut blast and punish the guilty

8/8/2020

(See Translation in Arabic section)

Lebanon: The President of the Republic of Lebanon, General Michel Aoun, stressed to journalists that his goal is to show the reality of the Beirut explosion through an ongoing Lebanese investigation, stressing that nothing can prevent him from revealing the truth.  

"In this case, it will not be small or big, but the doors of all courts will be open to all alike," he said.

The president also denied that the matter of an international investigation was raised in talks with the visiting French President.

President Aoun stressed that "we are facing changes and reconsideration of our consensual system after it was found that it was  paralysed and decisions cannot be taken quickly."

"There is no internationalisation of the crisis. If we cannot govern ourselves, no one can rule us, and Lebanese sovereignty will not be compromised in my era."

He pointed out that, in light of the talk about the establishment of a national unity government, "the appropriate atmosphere must be prepared for that, and we cannot call for a unity government to reach the division that we have witnessed in the governments."

The President of the Republic pointed out that the current interest is not limited to securing food and medical supplies to Beirut but also to rebuilding.

“We are working on a plan in this area so that the capital will return better than it was."

President Aoun said “I know the Lebanese people, are angry at the explosion at Beirut Port …  our goal is to reveal the truth to the people … the truth can be shown only through an investigation …"

 The President added: “I know every home and many Lebanese, north to south, and they know me and know that I do not retreat from any responsibility nor from defending my homeland. I offer the people my sincere condolences.”

In response to a question, President Aoun endorsed the statement that the call for an international investigation into the port issue is aimed at hiding the truth. He stressed that judgment does not have any meaning if it is prolonged and the judiciary must be swift because late justice is not fair.

The President of the Republic revealed that the responsibility for what happened was broken down into three stages: “how the explosive materials entered the port, how they were placed, and how they were preserved for seven years as governments took turns, as well as officials, as some wrote to  the authorities warning them of the seriousness of the issue.”

He added: “There are also two possibilities for what happened, either as a result of negligence or external interference by a missile or a bomb. I personally asked the French president to provide us with aerial photos if they were available so that we can determine if there were aircraft in the air or missiles.  If these pictures are not available to the French, we will request them from other countries so that we can determine if there was an external aggression or if what happened was caused by negligence.”

As for the reason that there are no arrests  yet, President Aoun explained that it takes time and the investigation and procedures have started with 20  people.

About holding a prime minister accountable if his responsibility was proven in light of the sectarian cover, and about investing in talking about Hezbollah’s responsibility, President Aoun clarified that the investigation did not show any of this; it is done into those responsible for the port and there is a report from a security agency, on the basis of which the state is conducting an investigation.

On aid, he explained that his conversation with the French president was addressed, but without specifying.  He said there were types of aid, including medical, food and reconstruction aid. “The first problem has been solved but the construction problem remains.  We are now studying this issue to be able to investigate it.”

“ … if we cannot govern ourselves, no one can govern us, and Lebanese sovereignty will not be affected during my era.”

On his knowledge of explosive materials stored at the port, the President stated that he had contacted the secretary-general of the Supreme Defence Council about taking the necessary action.

Regarding the blockade imposed on Lebanon about a year ago, and whether there are any efforts to lift it, he said: “The explosion led to the lifting of the blockade, and I have received communications from leaders and effective heads of state from all over the world in solidarity with the Lebanese people  and their readiness to provide assistance, which is what we are seeing from the arrival of equipment, medical devices, food and other items ...”

In response to a question about the reason for his failure to give orders to remove the explosive materials after the report arrived, he replied: These materials entered Lebanon in 2013, I was not aware of them or the extent of their danger, and my powers do not allow me to take direct use of the port, and there is a hierarchy that must be respected and has to take responsibility, and I reported to take the necessary action, which is like an order.

On the possibility of the arrival of international aid not related to medical and food materials, President Aoun confirmed the arrival of aid soon. "We are working on a plan to rebuild Beirut better than it was, and there is a possibility for countries to undertake direct reconstruction operations for specific neighbourhoods, so the result will be faster."  

On the importance of forensic  scrutiny, President Aoun pointed out that his importance lies in his ability to enter into the details of disbursing funds and how to dispose of them, and not only comparing incomes and expenses.

When asked why the heads, MPs and ministers did not suspend their salaries and transfer them to people at this particular time, President Aoun pointed out that no one can be obligated to do so, especially when it comes to salaries, and whoever wishes to make donations, he will do so on his own initiative.

On the possibility of requesting President Macron to help bring the Lebanese to come out with a new decade, President Aoun reiterated that if the Lebanese people cannot govern themselves, no one can rule them or become a good people for democracy.

Regarding rumours about the government's resignation and the formation of a national unity government, President Aoun indicated that the appropriate atmosphere must be prepared for that, and that he cannot call for a unity government to reach later on the division that we witnessed in the governments.




 














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