Listen to the latest podcast on the Beirut blast here
Lebanon's president says he is ready to give a statement about the massive blast that hit Beirut last August if the judge leading the investigation asks for it.
“No one is above the law no matter how high up and justice can only be achieved through the specialised judicial branches that provide guarantees,” President Michel Aoun was quoted as telling the country’s top prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat, according to a statement released by the president's office.
Mr Aoun’s remarks came days after former prime minister Saad Hariri called for a constitutional amendment to lift immunity that protects top officials from prosecution, including the president.
Mr Hariri's call was criticised by victims' families as the latest attempt to obstruct justice after parliament failed to approve a request by the lead investigative judge to lift immunity on three lawmakers indicted along with caretaker prime minister Hassan Diab of criminal negligence in connection with the explosion.
The blast killed at least 214 people and injured thousands while causing billions of US dollars in damage to property across the capital.
The explosion was caused by the ignition of hundreds of tonnes of ammonium nitrate that were stored at a warehouse at Beirut port for six years with the knowledge of the country's top security agencies.
It remains unclear who owned the explosive chemicals, why they were stored for so long or what triggered the explosion.
Mr Hariri and the president had previously sparred over the stalled investigation into the blast. The Future Movement leader had called the indictment of Mr Diab an attack on the post of premier, a position reserved for a Sunni Muslim under Lebanon’s confessional power-sharing system.
Mr Diab's indictment led to the ouster of Judge Fadi Sawan, the former lead investigator. Mr Diab, along with MPs Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zeaiter, both members of Speaker Nabih Berri’s parliamentary bloc, had snubbed Mr Sawan’s summons, arguing he had no authority to question them under the constitution.
Mr Sawan was replaced by Judge Tarek Bitar, who has recently asked Parliament for permission to question and prosecute the three MPs in connection with the case.
His request was met with resistance from politicians who argued that Mr Bitar must present further evidence before his request to lift immunity was referred to the General Assembly for a vote.
A number of lawmakers then signed a petition calling on Parliament to try the three MPs by a special body that include their peers and high-ranking judges.
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
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WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Pieces of Her
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
New schools in Dubai
Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:
- Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
- Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
- Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
