On the fifth anniversary of the devastating Beirut Port explosion, President Joseph Aoun pledged that the Lebanese state remains fully committed to uncovering the truth and holding all those responsible accountable, no matter their rank or influence.

In a statement on Monday marking the August 4, 2020 blast that killed more than 200 people, injured thousands, and leveled swathes of the capital, Aoun described the tragedy as “a horrific crime that shook the conscience of the nation and the world.”

“We stand today, five years later, before the souls of the martyrs, the wounded and their families, and all Lebanese, to affirm that justice will not die, and accountability is inevitable,” Aoun said.

“The Lebanese state, through all its institutions, is committed to revealing the full truth, regardless of the obstacles or how high the positions involved,” he continued. “Justice knows no exceptions, and the law applies to everyone without discrimination.”

Aoun stressed that since assuming office, he had made accountability in the port explosion case a top priority.

“No one who contributed to this human catastrophe through negligence, failure, or corruption will escape justice,” he said.

He affirmed that all efforts would continue to ensure the investigation proceeds with transparency and integrity.

“We will keep pressing every competent authority to deliver justice, no matter the affiliations or offices held by those implicated.”

In a direct address to the families of the victims, the president said that “the blood of your loved ones will not go in vain. Your suffering will not remain unanswered. Justice is coming. Accountability is coming. This is a promise I have made before God and the nation.”

Aoun also paid tribute to the resilience of the Lebanese people in the wake of the blast, recalling the national solidarity that emerged in the face of catastrophe.

“We remember the remarkable unity and humanity of our great people; how they rushed hand-in-hand to rescue the wounded, clear the rubble, and care for those left homeless,” he said. “It is this very spirit of solidarity that will lead us forward toward justice, and toward rebuilding our nation on the foundations of fairness, transparency, and accountability.”

The August 4 explosion was caused by the ignition of hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored improperly at the port for years. Despite widespread outrage and calls for justice, the domestic investigation has been stalled by political interference and legal challenges, leaving victims’ families still waiting for answers.