On Thursday, the United States Undersecretary for Political Affairs David Hale arrived in Beirut for a short visit. He toured neighborhoods destroyed by the blast and saw the damage it caused.
During his visit to areas in Beirut affected by last week’s explosion, Hale stated that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will join the probe into the Beirut Port explosion.
Despite President Aoun’s previous strong refusal of an international probe into the blast, Hale announced that the FBI will join at the invitation of Lebanese authorities.
The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon wasn’t immediately available for comment.
In his visit, Hale reiterated the United State’s support to help Lebanon recover from the tragedy.
“I’m with you, I stand with you, my government does, and the American people do.”
– David Hale
David Hale is set to travel out of Lebanon on August 15th, three days before the Special Tribunal for Lebanon announces its verdict about Hariri’s murder.