President rejects demands to resign over Beirut blast

BEIRUT — Responding to calls that he step down, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said in his first interview with foreign media since the huge Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut that it would be “impossible” because it would create a power vacuum.

Aoun also told French TV station BFMTV that the probe into the devastating blast is “very complex” and won’t be finished quickly. The interview aired late Saturday.

The cause of the fire that ignited nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at Beirut’s port remains unclear. Documents have emerged showing that the country’s top leadership, including Aoun, and security officials were aware of the chemicals that had been stored there for years.

The blast killed 180 people and wounded more than 6,000. At least 30 people are still missing.

Aoun said the probe is divided into three parts. The first aims to determine the circumstances surrounding the cargo, the second where it came from and who shipped it and the third who was responsible for handling and securing it.

“We had the determination to reach conclusions quickly but we found out that the issues are very complex and require time,” said Aoun.

When asked about what measures he took when he learned of the explosives in July, Aoun said the information came to him “very late,” but his military adviser was assured that those with direct responsibility were handling the matter.

“They all were informed,” Aoun said, adding that he made sure those who could take measures to secure the area were in the loop.

Aoun said FBI and French investigators were helping because “they more than us have the capability and ability to find out the details of what got the ship here, what is the source and who owns it.”

Popular anger has swelled over the ruling elite’s corruption, mismanagement and political uncertainty. Under pressure, Lebanon’s government, also backed by Hezbollah and allies, resigned Aug. 10. For now, there are no formal consultations under way on who will replace Hassan Diab as prime minister.

Asked about the public anger, Aoun said he shares the rage.

“They call me the father of the people,” he said. “I am one of them.”

But Aoun said the moment is not right to hold presidential elections. “The political and popular atmosphere can’t take new elections before restoring calm,” he said. “They would be emotional and not a true representation of the people.”

Aoun was elected in 2016, breaking more than two years of deadlock in which Lebanon remained without a president.