Lebanese look to outsiders for answers about port blast

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s judicial investigation of the Beirut port explosion started with political wrangling over the naming of a lead investigator, military threats to jail leakers and doubts over whether a panel appointed along sectarian lines could be fully impartial.

So for many Lebanese, their greatest hope for credible answers about the Aug. 4 blast that wrecked much of their capital may lie with outsiders: the French forensic police and the FBI, with the U.S. agency scheduled to arrive during the weekend.

David Hale, the U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs, arrived in Beirut late last week and said the U.S. and its allies will respond to “systemic reforms with sustained financial support.”

But Hale added “there can be no bailout,” in a recorded message posted on the U.S. Embassy website Saturday.

French teams have pressed ahead, sending divers into the underwater crater, taking explosives samples and preparing recommendations for French and Lebanese magistrates.

Among the French judicial police on the case are men and women who responded after the 2004 tsunami in Japan, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and the November 2015 and Bastille Day 2016 terror attacks in France.

The Beirut explosion lies at the crossroads of a disastrous accident and a crime scene. It still was not known what sparked the fire that ignited nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate that were stored for years in Beirut’s port next to densely populated residential areas. Documents have emerged showing the country’s top leadership and security officials were aware of the stockpile.

Search and rescue crews flew in from around the world in the aftermath and found themselves at a scene that was familiar and yet strangely alien.

“In an earthquake, it’s easier because we can understand how it moves. But in this case, we didn’t have enough elements to understand what happened,” said Alberto Boanini, a member of the Italian rescue team. The team has seen its share of quakes and forest fires, but nothing quite like the port in Beirut, where he said it was hard to fathom what could level it.

Many Lebanese want the probe taken from their government, having learned from past experience that the long-entrenched political factions, notorious for corruption, won’t allow any results damaging to their leadership to come to light.

The explosion killed nearly 180 people, injured at least 6,000, and left tens of thousands homeless.

Paris sent judicial police because a French architect was among the dead, and French law gives jurisdiction for an investigation if a citizen dies abroad under questionable circumstances. But the French investigators work only at the invitation of the Lebanese.

French officials say they have the access they need but will not say whether their inquiry can extend to questioning witnesses or requesting documents. They hand over their findings to the Lebanese, but keep a copy for a French inquiry.

Top Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun, have rejected calls for an independent probe, suggesting it would be politicized.

The authorities have so far arrested at least 19 people in connection to the blast.