NNA - Families of the victims of the Beirut Port explosion gathered today inside Beirut Port marking the sixth commemoration of the August 4 blast, demanding justice and accountability before the memorial statue bearing the names of those who lost their lives in the tragic explosion.
Attending the commemoration gathering were: Justice Minister Adel Nassar, Information Minister Paul Morcos, Social Affairs Minister Hanine El Sayyed, Vatican ambassador to Lebanon Paolo Borgia, former minister Ziad Baroud, EU ambassador to Lebanon, Beirut Bar Association President Imad Martinos, alongside several other ambassadors, diplomats, activists, and members of the victims' families.
The gathering began at Gate No. 3 of Beirut Port and proceeded to the memorial statue, where the American and Australian ambassadors, along with several European ambassadors, laid flowers and wreaths as prayers were offered for the victims.
Speaking on behalf of the victims' families, Mireille Khoury said the gathering was held to honor the victims of the August 4 blast and preserve their memory. She expressed gratitude for international support over the past six years, while stressing that the pursuit of justice is not over and calling on the international community to help ensure the continuation of investigations and accountability if local proceedings face delays or obstacles.
In turn, Justice Minister Nassar affirmed that the indictment decision in the Beirut Port explosion case will be issued and that a trial will follow, stressing that this is the state's duty and a right of the victims and all Lebanese citizens. He said the case concerns the entire country.
Nassar added that the Public Prosecution is working seriously and diligently to complete its submission in the investigation file, while respecting judicial independence, and is expected to finalize it before the year's end. He noted that once the final decision is issued, the case will be referred to the Judicial Council for trial, emphasizing that the indictment is not a verdict.
He also affirmed that the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Suhail Abboud, is the guarantor of the independence of the judiciary and its proper functioning. "He is the head of the Judicial Council, which is composed of senior judges in Lebanon, and we should rest assured, because the judiciary is working today and there is no procrastination," Nassar reassured.
For his part, Information Minister Morcos stressed the need to uncover the truth and achieve justice in the Beirut Port blast case, in line with statements by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. He referred to yesterday's ministerial meeting chaired by PM Salam, in which he noted that "the indictment is expected to be issued within a few months at the latest, while respecting the principle of separation of powers and non-interference in the work of the judiciary."
Morcos added that there are no obstacles preventing the pursuit of truth and justice under the current presidential term and government, stressing the need to ensure justice for the victims, those who lost their lives, and their families, reiterating the President’s words in terms of unveiling the truth and achieving justice.
Afterwards, words by the families of the Beirut Port blast victims expressed hope that justice will soon be achieved after years of obstacles that delayed the investigation. They also expressed confidence that, under the current presidential term and government, the probe will reach its conclusion, finally revealing the truth and delivering justice.
