Gen. Joseph Aoun receives relatives of the victims of a migrant boat that sank off Tripoli last month. (Credit: Lebanese Army photo)
BEIRUT — Army commander Gen. Joseph Aoun on Thursday promised relatives of the victims of a migrant boat that sank in Tripoli last month a “transparent and impartial” investigation, the army said in a statement.
Here’s what we know:
• The army commander pointed out that “the relationship between the army and the people of Tripoli is solid, and no one can distort it for any goals,” calling on the families of the victims “not to allow this case to be exploited.”
• These remarks were made in Yarze during a meeting between Aoun and a delegation from the families of the victims of the sinking, which left at least six dead and around 30 missing.
• He also said that “this tragedy has affected everyone,” recalling that the investigation is ongoing. This investigation “will be transparent and impartial,” Aoun added.
• The delegation received by Aoun on Thursday included survivors of the sinking who expressed their pain about losing their loved ones, stressing that it is “the economic conditions that push people to choose emigration by sea,” reports the army.
• The migrant vessel sank just off the coast of Qalamoun in Tripoli with more than 60 people aboard. At the time, the army attributed the boat’s demise to high waves and overloading. However, some survivors have disputed this claim, saying the boat sank after being chased by the army, which hit the vessel a number of times.