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Former Army Commander Questioned over Beirut Port Blast

The explosion at Beirut's port killed more than 200 people and injured thousands [File: Chris McGrath/Getty Images]
The explosion at Beirut's port killed more than 200 people and injured thousands [File: Chris McGrath/Getty Images]
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Former Army Commander Questioned over Beirut Port Blast

The explosion at Beirut's port killed more than 200 people and injured thousands [File: Chris McGrath/Getty Images]
The explosion at Beirut's port killed more than 200 people and injured thousands [File: Chris McGrath/Getty Images]

Lebanon’s lead investigator in the August 4, 2020 Beirut port blast, Judge Tarek Bitar, questioned on Monday former army chief General Jean Qahwaji but postponed taking any legal measures against him, awaiting a second interrogation session scheduled for September 28.

The state-run National News Agency (NNA) said that Qahwaji was questioned in the presence of his lawyer Antoine Toubiya and the personal prosecution team that represents the families of the victims and the affected.

“The hearing session ended as Bitar delayed taking any measures against Qahwaji after the latter’s lawyers asked the judge to first interrogate former head of army intelligence Kamil Daher in connection with the port explosion,” NNA wrote.

Toubiya told a local television channel that in the next hearing, he would present documents that prove his client’s innocence.

Qahwaji, who was commander of the Lebanese army in 2013 when 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate entered the port, is part of an indictment list that Bitar issued on July 2 against a number of former military and security chiefs, accused of having a role in the explosion.

The list includes former Director of Military Intelligence Brigadier General Kamil Daher, former Brigadier General in Military Intelligence Ghassan Gharzeddine, and former Brigadier General in Military Intelligence Jawdat Oueidat.

As Bitar questioned Qahwaji, family members of blast victims gathered at the entrance of Block 9 of the port amid tight security measures.

They demanded the immediate lifting of political immunity offered to any person that Bitar asks for questioning.

Ibrahim Hoteit, a representative of the victims’ families, said that the Lebanese authorities are trying to manipulate the investigation, adding that the families reject keeping the political immunity of officials.

He said the families are planning a number of escalatory measures until justice prevails.

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Erdogan Vows ‘Radical’ Steps to Eliminate Kurdish YPG Forces in Syria

Erdogan speaks at the eighth Ordinary Provincial Congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK). (Turkish presidency)
Erdogan speaks at the eighth Ordinary Provincial Congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK). (Turkish presidency)
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Erdogan Vows ‘Radical’ Steps to Eliminate Kurdish YPG Forces in Syria

Erdogan speaks at the eighth Ordinary Provincial Congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK). (Turkish presidency)
Erdogan speaks at the eighth Ordinary Provincial Congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK). (Turkish presidency)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed on Saturday that his country will soon take “radical” steps to eliminate forces linked to the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), the military backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). in Syria.

Erdogan said Türkiye will show no tolerance for the YPG, which is an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist by Ankara.

The YPG occupies a third of Syria, he charged.

Turkish forces have recently expanded their attacks on SDF positions in northeast Syria amid ongoing clashes between the two sides on the frontline of Tishreen dam in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.

During remarks at the eighth Ordinary Provincial Congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK) in the southern province of Mersin, Erdogan said his country has provided and will continue to provide all necessary support to the Syrian people.

“Our goal is to eradicate all terrorist organizations in Syria, either smoothly or by force,” he said.

The president stressed that his country is present in Syria and other regions of the world and is following developments closely, based on a strategic vision that seeks to achieve its interest.

Ankara supports New Syrian administration

Erdogan added that by eliminating terrorists in Syria, Türkiye would ensure its security and remove the obstacles that stand in the way of the territorial integrity of Syria, its political unity and internal peace.

“Türkiye cannot feel completely secure as long as there are separatist terrorists armed in Syria,” he declared.

Moreover, Erdogan said Ankara will not pressure any Syrian refugee to return back home.

Ankara is exerting efforts to provide support to the new administration in Damascus, and is therefore “determined not to leave our Syrian brothers alone in rebuilding state institutions and the country,” he remarked.

The Turkish government will provide all necessary facilitations for Syrians wishing to return to their country, he vowed.

Clashes in eastern Aleppo

Meanwhile, Turkish forces escalated their strikes on the strategic Tishreen dam and several areas in Ain Al-Arab (Kobani) in eastern Aleppo.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Saturday that three civilians were killed and 14 others sustained various injuries.

This came following renewed strikes by Turkish drones on an anti-Türkiye protest near Tishreen dam in the Manbij countryside in eastern Aleppo.

Similarly, it noted, Turkish fighter jets attacked the vicinity of Qarh Qouzaq bridge in the Aleppo countryside.

Turkish fighter jets also attacked a school in Al-Jadah village and a house in Deikan village in the Ain Al-Arab countryside, the Observatory said, adding that no casualties were reported.