Macron visits Beirut as public anger grows
FRENCH PRESIDENT SEEKS INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION
French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday promised aid to blaststricken Lebanon, but reassured angry Beirut residents reeling from a lethal explosion that aid “will not go into the hands of corruption”.
Speaking at a news conference at the end of a dramatic visit to Beirut, the first by a foreign leader since the explosion, Macron called for an international inquiry into the explosion that killed over 130 people, wounded thousands and left tens of thousands homeless.
The death toll is likely to rise as dozens are still missing. The blast is believed to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate.
Calls for end to regime
Earlier, wearing a black tie in mourning, Macron toured the blast site and Beirut’s shattered streets where angry crowds demanded an end to a “regime” of Lebanese politicians they blame for corruption.
“I see the emotion on your face, the sadness, the pain. This is why I’m here,” he told them, pledging to deliver “home truths” to Lebanon’s leaders.
Meeting with president, PM
Macron, who held talks with Lebanon’s president and prime minister, said he mentioned the “anger” in the street. “There is a political, moral, economic and financial crisis that has lasted several months, several years. This implies strong political responsibility,” he said.
$10-15 billion in losses
Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud estimated losses from the blast to be between $10 billion to $15 billion. The blast shredded a large grain silo, which is estimated to have stored about 85 per cent of Lebanon’s grain.
16 port employees detained
Sixteen staff members at Beirut’s port have been detained over the blast, military prosecutor Fadi Akiki said yesterday. They include port and customs officials, workers and managers.
His statement came as an official said that the central bank had ordered an asset freeze for seven officials, including Badri Daher, director-general of Lebanon’s customs authority.
Repeated warnings
Daher yesterday claimed that State Security had been investigating the stockpile of ammonium nitrate for the past year. He said it raised reports about the danger to the Cabinet.
He said he sent a letter in 2017 to a judge in which he warned of the dangers, adding that he and his predecessor sent six letters, but never got a response.