Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Friday that Western countries should not take advantage of the massive explosion in Beirut last week that killed and injured thousands of people to dictate their own policies on the tiny Arab country.

Zarif's comments came in Beirut as a senior U.S. official and France's defense minister were in the country. The Aug. 4 blast at Beirut's port killed nearly 180 people, injured 6,000 and caused widespread damage in the capital.

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale met with senior Lebanese officials on Friday, one day after arriving into Lebanon and bypassing politicians to head straight to a hard-hit neighbourhood where young volunteers are helping people after the colossal Beirut blast

Representatives of the victims killed in Beirut blast on Friday expressed mistrust in a state-backed probe into the deadly colossal explosion, demanding international investigation.

Lebanon's judicial investigation of the Beirut port explosion started with political wrangling over the naming of a lead investigator, military threats to jail leakers and doubts over whether a panel appointed along sectarian lines could be fully impartial.

So for many Lebanese, their greatest hope for credible answers about the blast that wrecked much of their capital may lie with outsiders: the French forensic police who have joined the probe and FBI investigators are expected to take part.

Investigation into the gigantic portside explosion in Beirut reportedly points to security shortfall that security services at Beirut port bear responsibility for, the Saudi Asharq al-Awsat reported on Friday.

The Supreme Council of the Judiciary on Thursday agreed to the appointment of Judge Fadi Sawan as a judicial investigator in the port blast probe that will be handled by the Judicial Council.

The Supreme Council agreed to caretaker Justice Minister Marie-Claude Najm’s suggestion to appoint Sawan following strenuous negotiations and controversy.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived Thursday evening in Beirut for talks with Lebanese officials.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil on Thursday said the FPM wants to “unveil the truth behind the port explosion.”

“We want a swift probe and a clean trial for every negligent person or culprit as well as a fair verdict that does justice to the Lebanese people,” Bassil tweeted.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Thursday hit back at Speaker Nabih Berri over remarks the latter voiced during an emergency parliament session.

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale will arrive in blast-hit Lebanon Thursday for a three-day visit.