NNA – The Association of Families of Victims of the Beirut Explosion staged its monthly stand on the fourth of December in front of the Statue of the Emigrant - Port of Beirut this evening, whereby candles were lit and prayers were raised for the souls of the victims and martyrs to rest in peace.

In an issued statement following the sit-in, the Association questioned how long the families will have to wait for the truth to come out, saying: “Every day, we are surprised by attempts to dissolve our case, the last of which was the attempt to hold a session to vote on that fictitious court, which was essentially inactive, to hide behind it to escape accountability. Let it be known to you that anyone who votes or attends this session is an enemy to us, an enemy to our cause, and a murderer of our victims.”

Addressing the Parliament collectively, the victims’ families warned parliamentarians not to prejudice their cause or compromise on it. “Our cause is clear of your suspicious goals, and the blood of our victims and martyrs is higher than your political and sectarian ploys. You will not be able to pass what is in your malicious intentions!” the statement exclaimed. It asserted herein that the families will not accept any trial except before the Judicial Council.

Finally, the Association concluded by cautioning against “holding any deals or reconstruction of the port of Beirut before the emergence of the clear truth for all the Lebanese and accountability for all those who caused the explosion of our capital and the killing of our victims,” stressing that “Lebanon can only be built with justice and equity.”

==========R.Sh.