Source: BBC
Security & Justice
UNIFIL and Lebanese Red Cross Secure Custody of Lebanese Citizen Abducted by Israeli Army
UNIFIL and the Lebanese Red Cross took custody of the citizen who was abducted by Israeli army in Wadi Al-Hujeir in South Lebanon.
Thursday, December 26, 2024
UNIFIL Presses for Implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) has released a press statement outlining recent developments regarding the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, following an understanding between Israel and Lebanon.
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Opinion
Are Syria’s New Authorities Against the Iranian Axis?
Everyone is searching for clues about the possible foreign policy of the new Damascus regime, especially concerning Iran. If it turns out to be against Iran, this would be a significant development and could potentially change the face of the region.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Strong Rebound on Markets for Lebanon Eurobonds
TRADERS IN THE LOCAL MARKET HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THE LEBANESE POUND IS GAINING GROUND ON THE DEMAND CURVE AS LEBANON EUROBONDS ARE WITNESSING A GROWTH CURVE
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Sports
Ronaldo to Run for Brazil Federation Presidency
Brazil legend Ronaldo has announced he will run for the presidency of the country's football association and wants to "recover the prestige" of the national team.
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo Unveils New Private Jet Worth $73 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the richest global athletes, has unveiled his upgraded private jet reportedly worth $73 million. With its top-notch design, exceptional speed and range of 7500 nautical miles, the Gulfstream G650 is among the fastest jets in the world.
Monday, December 16, 2024
Wednesday 25 January 2023 20:36:59
Beirut Blast: Lebanon Prosecutor Charges Judge Leading Investigation
Lebanon's top prosecutor has charged the judge leading the inquiry into the 2020 Beirut port blast and ordered the release of suspects in custody.
Ghassan Oweidat summoned Judge Tarek Bitar for questioning, accusing him of "acting without a mandate".
But the judge insisted that Mr Oweidat had no authority to charge him.
On Monday, he unexpectedly restarted the probe after a 13-month suspension and filed unspecified charges against eight officials, including Mr Oweidat.
No-one has yet been held accountable for the blast on 4 August 2020, which killed at least 218 people and injured more than 6,000 others.
A fire triggered the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored unsafely in a port warehouse for almost six years, causing a massive explosion that devastated a large part of the Lebanese capital.
It is widely believed that officials and politicians were aware of the combustible chemical's existence and the danger it posed but that they failed to secure, remove or destroy it.
Victims' relatives and activists say the investigation into the disaster is being hampered by the Lebanese political leadership's efforts to shield those responsible from scrutiny.
The power struggle at the highest levels of the Lebanese judiciary burst into the open on Wednesday when the public prosecutor dramatically announced that all of the 17 suspects being held in pre-trial detention could go free.
Mr Oweidat also accused Judge Bitar of acting beyond his jurisdiction. He told AFP news agency that the judge was "rebelling against the judiciary and usurping power", and that he had filed charges in order to "prevent sedition".
But Judge Bitar vowed to continue his investigation "until the indictment is issued", Lebanon's state-run National News Agency cited him as saying.
He declared that Mr Oweidat's decisions were "illegitimate and should not be implemented", noting that the prosecutor was "a defendant, and as such he cannot take any decision in this case".
Mr Oweidat had previously recused himself from matters concerning the investigation after his brother-in-law, former public works minister Ghazi Zaiter, was charged.
Two days ago, Judge Bitar unexpectedly said he was able to restart his inquiry, after numerous legal challenges had stalled it.
He also filed charges against Mr Oweidat and other senior figures. Local media cited judicial sources as saying they included the heads of the General Security and State Security departments, although there was no official confirmation.
Mr Oweidat has denied any wrongdoing, as have all those previously linked to the investigation.
Judge Bitar also ordered the release of five suspects arrested after the explosion, including port officials and maintenance workers.
On Tuesday, Mr Oweidat sent a letter to the judge telling him that the investigation remained suspended.
The inquiry has been dogged with problems since it was set up.
The first lead judge, Fadi Sawan, was removed from the case by a court in 2021 in response to legal complaints about his impartiality from Ghazi Zaiter and another former minister he had charged.
Several of the powerful politicians charged by his successor, Judge Bitar, have brought similar complaints against him.
It has meant that the investigation has been halted each time while a court rules on their veracity, to the frustration of victims' groups.
Attempts have been made by some groups to remove Judge Bitar from running the investigation entirely, but despite the Higher Judicial Council approving the appointment of yet another new judge to take charge instead, that has not happened.
