The first day of a French judicial delegation’s visit to Lebanon ended in disappointment after the team failed to deliver a long-awaited final technical report related to the 2020 Beirut Port explosion, a Lebanese judicial source told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The delegation, which included two investigative judges from Paris and the French Consul General in Beirut, met separately with Lebanon’s Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Jamal Hajjar, and Judge Tarek Bitar, the lead judicial investigator into the blast that killed over 200 people and devastated large parts of the capital.

The French team spent about an hour with Hajjar before holding an extended four-hour meeting with Bitar. Talks focused on the latest developments in both the Lebanese and French investigations into the explosion, which occurred on August 4, 2020, and killed at least three French nationals, injured dozens of others, and caused significant damage to French-owned property in Beirut.

However, expectations were dampened when the delegation failed to present the final technical report that Lebanese authorities had been counting on to resolve several outstanding aspects of the investigation.

“The Lebanese side was clearly disappointed,” the judicial source said, adding that the report could have answered key questions and helped determine the causes of the explosion.

The source also noted that while the French report is viewed as important, the Lebanese investigation remains the cornerstone of the case.

“There is far more information in the Lebanese file than what the French and other international parties have gathered,” the source added, referring to foreign states that have conducted parallel inspections and independent probes.

The French judges are expected to meet Bitar again on Wednesday to continue the exchange of information. Despite the setback, the Lebanese judiciary emphasized that cooperation between the two countries will continue.

“France’s delay in submitting the report will not derail the investigation, nor will it obstruct the steps Judge Bitar is taking,” the source affirmed.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Judge Bitar reiterated his request for the final technical report, stressing that it could fill investigative gaps and potentially reduce the need for additional international letters rogatory.

The French delegation will remain in Lebanon until Thursday and is expected to meet with several top judicial officials, including President of the High Judicial Council, Judge Suhail Abboud, and Justice Minister Adel Nassar. Discussions will center on legal collaboration, with no political meetings planned.

“This visit is strictly legal,” the source said, confirming that the delegation’s mission is confined to judicial coordination.

Bitar, meanwhile, will provide the French with all requested information—provided it does not compromise the confidentiality of the Lebanese investigation.

“They will not be given access to the full case file,but they will be briefed on the latest findings," ” the source said. 

Bitar has delayed scheduling new interrogation sessions until the French visit concludes. He is expected to summon four judges who have been formally charged in connection to the case: former Public Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat, Deputy Prosecutor Ghassan Khoury, and Judges Carla Chawah and Jad Maalouf from the Urgent Matters Court.

In addition, Judge Bitar is preparing to summon former Public Works Minister and current MP Ghazi Zeaiter for questioning in early June, once Parliament’s regular session has ended. The summons will be delivered via the General Secretariat of the Lebanese Parliament.