Lebanon - Q&A (29 September 2021)

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Q: Do you have any response to the decision yesterday to suspend the investigation led by Judge Bitar into the explosion on August 4, 2020, in the port of Beirut?

A: France regrets the suspension of the investigation to establish the truth and determine responsibility with respect to the explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. The Lebanese people have a right to know.

The Lebanese justice system must work with the utmost transparency, free from any political interference. It is up to the Lebanese authorities to allow the investigation to continue with the financial and human resources necessary in order to shed full light on what happened on August 4, 2020, in accordance with the legitimate expectations of the Lebanese population.

As President Macron indicated to Prime Minister Mikati on September 24, France will continue to support the efforts of the judiciary to pursue the investigation in an independent, calm, and impartial manner.