LEBANON: Syriac Maronite Patriarch Al-Raï calls for an international investigation over Beirut port explosion after dismissal of presiding judge

BKERKE, Lebanon — In a new statement on Sunday, Syriac Maronite Patriarch His Holiness Mor Bechara Boutros al-Raï called for an international investigation to be conducted over the Beirut port explosion.

Patriarch al-Raï stated that the Lebanese people have been waiting for the results of the Beirut port explosion investigation for more than six months.

Last week, the Lebanese court of cassation dismissed the judge presiding over the investigation, Fadi Sawan, following a request by two former government ministers charged with negligence.

The removal of Judge Fadi Sawan from the probe, said Patriarch al-Raï, has brought the investigation back to step one, proving the need for cooperation with international investigators.

Al-Raï also renewed his call for an international conference on Lebanon under the auspices of the United Nations.