Beirut: President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, on Monday called for the issuance of an indictment in the Beirut port explosion investigation, stating that justice, truth, and accountability are obligations that cannot be erased by time.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Aoun marked the sixth anniversary of the August 4 blast by highlighting Lebanon's ongoing struggle with an unhealed national wound and a tragedy that transformed the port, a crucial economic hub, into the scene of one of the most severe disasters in the country's modern history. He honored those who lost their lives and those injured in the incident, emphasizing that the anniversary serves not only as a day of mourning but also as a reminder of the duty to uncover the entire truth and hold those responsible accountable.
Aoun stressed that Lebanon could not restore confidence in its institutions unless the judicial process was completed, emphasizing the urgent necessity of the investigating judge to issue the indictment. "Justice does not mean revenge," Aoun stated. "It means establishing the truth in full and holding accountable everyone who neglected their duties, failed to act, or contributed to this catastrophe, regardless of their position or capacity." He asserted that justice could not be fragmented and no individual should be beyond the reach of the law.
Aoun called on the Lebanese judiciary to exhibit its independence and capability to deliver justice to the victims, portraying the indictment as more than a legal procedure and as a right owed to the victims and their families. He reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law as the sole safeguard against a repeat of the tragedy, expressing confidence that Lebanon could emerge stronger from its ordeal once justice was fully achieved and citizens felt assured that their lives and dignity were protected by the law.