BEIRUT: Eleven of Lebanons universities Tuesday said they support transparent and independent investigations into last week's devastating Beirut Port blast.
We do believe there must be accountability and, in time, justice for this criminal, monstrous explosion. We fully support a transparent, expert, independent and just investigation of the destruction of Beirut, the statement said.
The universities the statement was issued by include: The American University of Beirut, Lebanese American University, Saint Joseph University, Beirut Arab University, Haigazian University, Sagesse University, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Notre Dame University, University of Balamand, Antonine University and Islamic University of Lebanon.
The universities also pledged to support their students education as the country grapples with the devastating aftermath of the Beirut blast, which claimed more than 164 lives and injured around 6,000 people.
We will do everything possible to create tangible opportunities to support our students education and wellbeing irrespective of the collapse of the Lebanese economy and the additional burden placed on the Lebanese people by this latest catastrophe, the statement said.
A number of these universities and their respective hospitals were damaged after the explosion one week ago at the Beirut Port, however they still treated the injured.
Our hospitals are open and our emergency rooms are receiving patients day after day, regardless of their ability to afford treatment, the statement said.
We stand ready to assist now in any we can, the statement said.
Lebanons universities were hit hard by the economic and financial crisis, as the Lebanese pound devalued and they struggled to price tuitions fairly, pay their staff and employees.
Just last month, AUB laid-off more than 800 employees, mostly from its AUBMC hospital, and downsized some departments at the university as a result of the unprecedented crisis.
Copyright 2020, The Daily Star. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
