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Beirut explosion cause unknown, possibility of external interference: President

Lebanon's president said an investigation into the Beirut port warehouse explosion was looking at whether it was caused by negligence, an accident or possible external interference, his office cited him as telling local media on Friday.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The cause has not been determined yet. There is a possibility of external interference through a rocket or bomb or other act,” President Michel Aoun said in comments carried by local media and confirmed by his office.He said the probe into Tuesday's blast at a warehouse housing highly explosive material was being conducted on three levels.“First, how the explosive material entered and was stored ... second whether the explosion was a result of negligence or an accident ... and third the possibility that there was external interference.”Read more:Twitter flags fake video showing missile striking Lebanon portSixteen arrested in connection with Beirut blasts: State-run news agencyUS pledges over $17 mln in disaster aid for Lebanon
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Beirut explosion cause unknown, possibility of external interference: President

Beirut explosion: Nearly 60,000 sign petition to place Lebanon under French control

Nearly 60,000 people have signed a petition calling for Lebanon to once again be placed under French mandate following the Beirut port explosion that killed 154 individuals and injured over 5,000 others.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Lebanon’s officials have clearly shown a total inability to secure and manage the country,” the petition web page read. “We believe Lebanon should go back under the French mandate in order to establish a clean and durable governance.”The petition, addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron, was published on Wednesday, one day before Macron visited Lebanon.During his visit, Macron made his way through crowded streets in the capital’s damaged neighborhoods, listening to pleas from survivors and residents urging him not to provide financial support to the government.Dozens of people chanted “revolution” while others called the Lebanese President Michel Aoun a “terrorist.”Lebanon was placed under French mandate in 1923, at the end of the first world war.The country gained its independence in January 1944, when France transferred the power to the Lebanese government.Read more:French President Macron shines in Lebanon amid political unrestTwitter flags fake video showing missile striking Lebanon portBeirut explosion cause unknown, possibility of external interference
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Beirut explosion: Nearly 60,000 sign petition to place Lebanon under French control