President Aoun: The Judiciary Must Prove Its Independence; the Preliminary Verdict on the Port Explosion Cannot Wait

Issued by President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun, on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the Beirut port explosion:

"On this day each year, all of Lebanon stands before a wound that has not healed, and a memory that has not faded. We recall the horror of that moment when Beirut trembled from its depths, as the port—lifeblood of the economy and livelihood—became the stage for a tragedy unmatched in our modern history. It was an explosion that changed the face of the capital, claimed innocent lives, left hundreds injured, and caused destruction that first struck stone before reaching hearts.

We remember today every victim killed unjustly, every family waiting for years for an answer worthy of the sacrifice they made. We remember the children deprived of their parents' embrace, and mothers who still await justice more than they await time to erase the pain.

This anniversary is not merely a moment of mourning, but a constant reminder of a duty that does not expire with time: the duty of truth, justice, and accountability. The wound will not heal, and the nation will not regain trust in its institutions unless the pursuit of justice reaches its full conclusion.

From this standpoint, I affirm that the issuance of the preliminary verdict by the investigating judge has become an urgent necessity that cannot tolerate further delay. Justice does not mean revenge, but rather the vindication of truth, the full disclosure of facts without omission, and holding accountable every individual who neglected, failed, or contributed to this catastrophe, regardless of position or status. Justice is not divided, nor is the law exempt from applying to anyone.

The Lebanese judiciary is today more than ever called upon to prove its independence and its ability to deliver justice to victims. The preliminary verdict is not merely a legal procedure—it is a right of the fallen to the living, and a right of their families who have waited so long for their children’s souls to find peace, and for their suffering to end at the threshold of complete truth.

As we stand today before this painful anniversary, we renew our pledge that the rule of law is the only guarantee against the repetition of such tragedy, and that Lebanon, which has shown resilience in the darkest hours, can emerge stronger from its crisis—provided that full justice is achieved, and provided that every citizen feels that their blood and dignity are protected under the law.

May the souls of the pure martyrs rest in peace, and may their memory inspire us with unwavering determination to pursue truth and justice until every mother’s heart is at ease, every martyr’s spirit finds calm, and Lebanon, through its institutions and state, regains the image it deserves among nations."