Judge probing Beirut blast subpoena for caretaker PM

The Prime Minister of Lebanon in Beirut is shown at the government palace in Lebanon, on August 10, 2020. BEIRUT, Aug 26 - The judge who was leading the probe into last summer's Beirut port blast issued a subpoena for caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Thursday after he failed to show up for questioning, Lebanon's state news agency reported.

Judge Tarek Bitar, who is leading the inquiry into the explosion, has issued requests in July to interview Diab and other top officials, including major general Abbas Ibrahim, head of the powerful general security agency, and several former ministers.

The blast, caused by large quantities of ammonium nitrate stored improperly for years, destroyed hundreds, injured thousands and killed large swathes of the capital.

More than a year after, no senior official has been held accountable, angering many the Lebanese.

The inquiry into the explosion repeatedly stalled with the first lead judge removed in February after a court granted the request of two former ministers he charged with negligence for the disaster in February.

Requests by Bitar to question chief politicians and lift immunity have also stalled.

Diab's session was postponed to Sept. 20, the news agency said.

A judicial source told Reuters that should Diab not attend the Sept. session, the judge would have the right to issue an arrest warrant.

Diab, who has said he is innocent of any wrongdoing connected to the blast, was not immediately available for comment.

Reporting by Laila Bassam and Laila Bassam; Editing by Nick Macfie.