Protestors on Aug. 4, 2022 march towards the French embassy in Beirut, where they reiterated demands an international investigation into the port blast. (Credit: L'Orient Today/João Sousa)
Two days after the Beirut port explosion, French President Emmanuel Macron stood in the wounded streets of Gemmayzeh and said what a population in shock wanted to hear.“An international, open and transparent probe is needed to prevent things from remaining hidden and doubt from creeping in,” said Macron, in response to the calls of the demonstrators and a part of the political class. This speech immediately came up against a brick wall, with the Lebanese presidency clearly rejecting any international commission of inquiry, as was the case in the aftermath of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on Feb. 14, 2005. An international investigation “would dilute the truth,” President Michel Aoun has said.The Lebanese leaders figured that any foreign technical assistance is welcome as long as it is part of a sovereign...
Two days after the Beirut port explosion, French President Emmanuel Macron stood in the wounded streets of Gemmayzeh and said what a population in shock wanted to hear.“An international, open and transparent probe is needed to prevent things from remaining hidden and doubt from creeping in,” said Macron, in response to the calls of the demonstrators and a part of the political class. This speech immediately came up against a brick wall, with the Lebanese presidency clearly rejecting any international commission of inquiry, as was the case in the aftermath of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on Feb. 14, 2005. An international investigation “would dilute the truth,” President Michel Aoun has said.The Lebanese leaders figured that any foreign technical assistance is welcome as long as it is part of a...