Beirut Port Explosion Case: Former Senior Lebanese Army Officers Interrogated

Beirut, November 4 (KUNA) -- Investigating Judge Tariq Al-Bitar, presiding over the Beirut port explosion case, interrogated four former senior Lebanese Army officers as defendants in the case on Wednesday. The Lebanese National News Agency reported that the interrogation included former Chief of Staff Major General Walid Sallam, Deputy Chief of Staff for Equipment Brigadier General Manuel Kliejan, head of the Ammunition Department George Moussa, and director of the Army’s Ordnance Directorate Brigadier General Munir Abu Zaid. It clarified that the interrogation of the officers was based on an indictment prepared by the General Prosecutor, Judge Muhammad Saff, who accused them and requested their interrogation on suspicion that they were aware of the presence of a shipment of ammonium nitrate at the port. The agency added that the interrogation session was held in the presence of Judge Saff, defense attorneys for the defendants, and the personal prosecution team. It noted that Judge Bitar had not yet decided whether to release the officers on bail or keep them in custody, and that the defendants who were recently interrogated and against whom no decisions had yet been taken would be summoned to be informed of the procedures to be followed before the indictment was issued. (End) F.Z. / M.A. K