US Undersec of State visits Beirut port, offers support

A team of FBI investigators is due to arrive in Lebanon this weekend to take part in the probe of Beirut's massive explosion, a senior US official said on Saturday after visiting the location of the blast.

David Hale, US undersecretary of state for political affairs, called for a thorough and transparent investigation.

He said the FBI team was taking part at the invitation of Lebanese authorities in order to find answers about what caused the Aug. 4 explosion which killed nearly 180 people and wounded thousands.

The cause of the fire that ignited nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate at Beirut’s port remains unclear.

Documents have emerged showing the country’s top leadership and security officials were aware of the chemicals stored at the port.

French investigators are also taking part in the Lebanese-led probe.

“We really need to make sure that there is a thorough, a transparent and credible investigation, and I know that is what everyone is demanding,” Hale said.

Hale toured the site of the blast with Lebanese army officers.

Many Lebanese want the probe taken out of the hands of their government, fearing that bickering among the long-entrenched political factions, notorious for corruption, won’t allow any results to come to light that are damaging to their leadership.

Hale also stressed the need for full state control over ports and borders, in an apparent reference to claims that Hezbollah holds influence over both in Lebanon.

“We can never go back to an era in which 'anything goes' at the port or borders of Lebanon," he said.