US officials say no sign Beirut blast was an attack

Two US officials say there are no indications that the massive explosion yesterday evening in Lebanon’s capital was the result of an attack by either a nation state or proxy forces.

A senior Defense Department official and a member of the US intelligence community tell The Associated Press that, at the moment, the explosion appears to have been caused by improper storage of explosions.

Both individuals speak to the AP on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to discuss intelligence briefings publicly.

The senior Defense Department official tells the AP that they had “no idea” what US President Donald Trump was referring to when he said during a press briefing at the White House yesterday that the explosion “looks like a terrible attack. Trump later said that his “great generals” told him that they felt like it was an attack.

Inquiries to the Pentagon about Trump’s attack remarks were referred to the White House.

— AP