Beirut – A Lebanese judge has interrogated two former high-ranking security officials concerning the devastating 2020 Beirut port explosion. The inquiry included a former director-general of the General Security Directorate, marking his first court appearance after being summoned nearly four years prior, according to judicial and security sources.
These officials, who remained anonymous as they lacked authorization to speak to the media, noted that these hearings represent a notable advancement in the long-delayed investigation.
Among those charged in connection with the explosion, which resulted in over 220 fatalities, are Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim and former State Security head Maj. Gen. Tony Saliba. The exact charges remain unspecified.
Judge Tarek Bitar questioned Ibrahim about the General Security Directorate's operations during his tenure and requested relevant documents, expected to be submitted by Ibrahim's lawyer next week.
Ibrahim, who led the General Security Directorate from 2011 to 2023, is recognized for his extensive network of connections spanning local, regional, and international spheres, including ties to Hezbollah, the Syrian government, and Western nations, positioning him as a key political mediator.
Ibrahim's legal team stated that his appearance in court was a gesture of respect for the families affected by the tragedy, his belief in justice, and his commitment to upholding legal standards, despite a prior legal challenge against Judge Bitar and claims of immunity from prosecution.
Saliba, attending court for the fourth time, cooperated fully, providing documents related to his role in State Security. Following the hearing, Saliba issued a statement describing the proceedings as "positive."
The Beirut Port explosion on August 4, 2020, involved the detonation of hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate, causing over 218 deaths, injuring more than 6,000, and inflicting widespread damage throughout the capital. It stands as one of history's largest non-nuclear explosions, causing billions in damages.
After years of political obstacles, Judge Bitar restarted the stalled investigation in mid-January, questioning port and customs personnel, retired military officers, the former head of port security, the former army intelligence director, and a dozen witnesses.
This development occurs alongside considerable political shifts in Lebanon, including the elections of Joseph Aoun as president and Nawaf Salam as prime minister, both seen as outsiders to the traditional political establishment, which includes many implicated in the port explosion.
Several officials implicated in the investigation have accused Bitar of bias, refused to testify, and filed legal complaints against him.
Judge Bitar is scheduled to question former top political figures next week. Former Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in office during the blast and among those charged, is scheduled to appear in May, followed by the questioning of four judges.
Additionally, a French delegation is expected to release its findings from their investigation into the 2020 blast later in April, initiated after three French citizens died in the explosion. However, French judges have reported difficulties in obtaining documents from the Lebanese investigation, which has been hampered by political interference.