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.

The Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc met Thursday and signed a joint petition with the Lebanese Forces, al-Mustaqbal bloc, and several independent MPs demanding international investigation into the colossal explosion in Beirut.

“For the sake of the victims of the explosion, and because we have no confidence in any local investigation, and for the sake of the truth, we launched today a parliamentary petition demanding an international investigation into the port explosion in coordination with the Lebanese Forces, al-Mustaqbal, and other MPs,” said leader of the bloc MP Taymour Jumblat.

Lebanon's parliament on Thursday approved a two-week state of emergency imposed by the government after last week's deadly port explosion that gives it legal authority to suppress resurgent protests.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sent emergency medical assistance to disaster-hit Lebanon on Thursday, after the massive explosion in the port of Beirut that left more tha 171 dead and wounded at least 7,000 others and left many homeless.

In the southern Lebanese town of Haris, a newlywed couple is living in one of Safy Faqeeh's apartments for free. He's never met them before, and they aren't on a honeymoon. Their apartment in Beirut was wrecked when last week's massive explosion wreaked destruction across the capital.

Faqeeh is one of hundreds of Lebanese who have opened their homes to survivors of the Aug. 4 blast.