Families of Beirut explosion victims hold sit-in near UNESCO

Families of the Beirut explosion victims held on Tuesday a sit-in near the UNESCO, where a parliamentary session is taking place under tight security measures imposed by the Lebanese army and security forces.

 

The demonstrators denounced "the blatant and persistent interference" of political parties and officials "who cannot be trusted with uncovering the truth behind the blast and with prosecuting the criminal offenders."

 

They also threw support behind chief investigator in the blast Judge Tareq Bitar, criticizing "any vicious threats and warnings" directed at him, saying he works "with ethics, seriousness, and responsibility to uncover the entire truth."

 

They also condemned the "actions adopted by security forces to prevent them from communicating their views to the Parliament" by blocking the exits leading to UNESCO.