#FBI to join investigation into Beirut explosion: US envoy

The FBI will join Lebanese and international authorities investigating last week’s massive blast in Beirut that killed at least 172 people, injured about 6,000 and left large sections of the capital city in ruins, a US official said Thursday.

“The FBI will soon join Lebanese and international investigators, at the invitation of the Lebanese, in order to help answer questions that I know everyone has about the circumstances that led up to this explosion,” US Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale told reporters.

Hale, who toured a heavily damaged neighborhood near the port, said the feds’ participation is one of the ways the US is helping Lebanon in dealing with the aftermath of the huge explosion.

Meanwhile, chilling drone images have emerged of the post-apocalyptic scene in the city showing destroyed buildings and widespread ruins.

Also on Thursday, the Lebanese Parliament approved a state of emergency in the ravaged city in its first session since the catastrophic Aug. 4 blast, granting the military wide powers amid rising fury at corruption and mismanagement.

Under the declaration, the military can declare curfews, prevent public gatherings and censor the media, as well as refer civilians to military tribunals for alleged security breaches.

On Monday, Prime Minister Hassan Diab and the rest of his cabinet resigned after declaring the state of emergency — an action that required approval by lawmakers, which they granted Thursday.

After the government resigned, the Cabinet is in a caretaker capacity.

The military now has the power to declare curfews, prevent public gatherings and censor the media, as well as refer civilians to military tribunals for alleged security violations.

The move has been assailed by rights groups and others who say the government was already operating with increased powers amid the coronavirus outbreak.

It still was not known what caused the fire responsible for igniting 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that were stored for years in Beirut’s port after being confiscated from an impounded Russian cargo ship.

Documents have emerged that show the country’s top leadership and security officials were aware of the volatile stockpile.

With Post Wires