US demands ‘credible’ probe into Beirut blast, conditions help on 'reforms'

The US government has called for a “credible” probe into the massive port explosion in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, further conditioning any financial support on its version of reforms in the Arab country neighboring the US-sponsored Israeli regime.

“When we see Lebanese leaders committed to real change, change in word and deed, America and its international partners will respond to systemic reforms with sustained financial support,” said the US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale in an obvious meddling tone resembling similarly intrusive calls made by French President Emmanuel Macron a day after the huge blast.

“The popular demand for real change could not be clearer,” Hale then underlined.

The August 4 explosion, which the authorities suspect was caused by over 2,000 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the port for years, killed 178 people, injured 6,000 and left 300,000 homeless, according to latest official figures.

“We can never go back to an era in which anything goes at the port or the borders of Lebanon that had to contribute to this situation,” the senior US diplomat further claimed after a visit to the port, noting that American FBI agents would be arriving shortly in Beirut at the invitation of Lebanon to help investigate the cause of the blast.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said a probe will look into whether the cause of the blast was negligence, an accident or “external interference,” vowing an impartial probe into the incident and taking action against the culprits.

Aoun had previously stated that the blast might have been triggered by a foreign attack, saying: “There is a possibility of external interference through a rocket or bomb or other act,” he said.

Following a surprise visit to Beirut by the French president, whose meddling remarks sparked a huge outrage among the Lebanese people, Aoun further underlined that no colonial power can return to the country, insisting that “Lebanese sovereignty will not be harmed under my watch.”

No colonial power can return to Lebanon, President Aoun says, rebuffing Macron

Lebanese President Michel Aoun says no colonial power can return to Lebanon, following a trip by French President Emmanuel Macron to disaster-stricken Beirut that sparked outrage among the Lebanese.

International probe aims to conceal Israeli role: Hezbollah chief

This is while the Secretary General of Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah resistance movement, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has also called for an impartial investigation into the blast, insisting during a televised address that those responsible for the deadly disaster had to be held to account regardless of their affiliations.

Speaking in a televised speech on Friday marking the 14th anniversary of defeating the Israeli regime’s 33-day war of aggression against Lebanon, Nasrallah further noted that Hezbollah does not have any narrative on the Beirut port explosion, saying, “We’re not investigating, the Lebanese state is doing the job.”

Nasrallah: Israel shivering with fear for its existence

On August 4, a colossal explosion at Beirut’s port ravaged the surrounding area, killing over 170 people.

“If investigations proved that the explosion occurred out of negligence, those responsible must be held accountable and punished,” added the Hezbollah chief, insisting that if it turned out that the Israeli regime was behind the blast, it would pay the price.

Nasrallah also underlined that his movement was against an international probe because its primary objective would be to “distance Israel from any responsibility for this explosion, if it had responsibility.” He then pointed out that the participation of the FBI in an investigation would serve the same purpose.

Moreover, Lebanon’s caretaker justice minister dismissed on Wednesday calls for an international investigation into the Beirut blast, emphasizing that the country’s judiciary can handle the probe on its own.

Lebanon says its own Judiciary can handle probe into Beirut blast

Lebanon’s caretaker justice minister has dismissed calls for an international investigation into the recent deadly explosion in Beirut, saying the country’s judiciary can handle the probe itself.

Marie-Claude Najem said the August 4 explosion is a "chance" for the judiciary to “prove they can do their jobs and win back the confidence of the people.”

She added, however, that the investigations have already been “internationalized” as French police officers and forensic specialists were involved in the ongoing probes, though their participation was due to the existence of French casualties.

The Saturday remarks by the visiting US official came a day after a visit by Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif, who slammed interfering efforts in Lebanon by senior American and French officials.

Iran raps West's bid to exploit Lebanon 'pain for political goals'

Iran

"In our view it is not humane to exploit the pain and suffering of the people for political goals," Zarif told a joint televised news conference with Lebanon's caretaker foreign minister. 

"We believe that the government and the people of Lebanon should decide on the future of Lebanon," he added.

Iran ready to help rebuild Lebanon

Zarif further stated that Tehran and private Iranian companies were ready to help Lebanon with reconstruction and rehabilitating the country's electricity sector.

As Lebanon marks the anniversary of its victory against Israel in the 33-day war in 2006, Iran also vowed to continue its support for the Lebanese nation and government, stressing that the Arab country will overcome the current crisis through synergy.

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