Lebanese Interior Minister Rejects Request to Interrogate General Security Chief in Beirut Port Explosion Case

Judicial and security sources stated today, Friday, that the Lebanese Interior Minister in the caretaker government has rejected a request made by the lead investigator in the Beirut port explosion case to interrogate the Lebanese General Security Chief. A senior judicial source told Reuters that Judge Tarek Bitar received the decision from Interior Minister Mohamed Fahmy rejecting his request to interrogate General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim. Earlier, the investigating judge in the Beirut port explosion case, Tarek Bitar, had requested permission from the caretaker Interior Minister Mohamed Fahmy to prosecute and pursue General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim. The list of prosecutions regarding the port explosion case included former military and security leaders in Lebanon, with Bitar also accusing several politicians and security officials in the country, including former ministers. On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion occurred at the Beirut port, where vast quantities of ammonium nitrate had been stored for years without adhering to safety conditions. The explosion resulted in the deaths of dozens and injured thousands, in addition to causing significant destruction to the Lebanese capital.