Judge Tarek Bitar is nearing the issuance of an indictment in the Beirut Port explosion case after completing the final phase of his investigation. Sources familiar with the matter, speaking to Al-Arabiya.net and Al-Hadath.net, say this phase includes setting up interrogation sessions for the judges whose names have surfaced in the case.

On April 27, Bitar is scheduled to meet with a French judicial delegation to present a detailed report on the findings of the French investigation, which began shortly after the August 2020 explosion. The report will include the results of a technical assessment prepared by French experts in security and forensic science, marking a crucial step as authorities continue to seek answers about the blast that devastated Beirut, killing more than 200 people.

In recent weeks, Judge Bitar has conducted a series of high-profile interrogations. Last week, former Minister Nouhad Mashnouk was questioned at the Beirut Justice Palace, with Bitar deciding to keep him under investigation. Mashnouk, along with former General Security Director Major General Abbas Ibrahim and former Director General of General Security Major General Tony Saliba, had previously refused to appear before the judge, arguing that Bitar lacked the authority to conduct such investigations. The three men have filed lawsuits in an attempt to block Bitar’s probe.

Bitar has also scheduled another interrogation for former Prime Minister Hassan Diab on April 25 as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.

Port Tour: Increased Security

As investigations continue, Al-Arabiya.net and Al-Hadath.net visited the Beirut Port to assess the security measures in place, particularly in light of reports suggesting that Iran has been using the facility to supply Hezbollah with weapons after losing access to other routes due to increased security. The port has been struggling to recover from the August 2020 explosion, which caused widespread damage, leaving thousands injured and hundreds dead.

Security at the port is now more stringent, with the Lebanese Army, General Security, and Customs working closely with port authorities to monitor operations. This cooperation has reportedly led to a notable reduction in smuggling activities, particularly the smuggling of Captagon pills, which has been a major concern for authorities.

According to port officials, the increased collaboration between security agencies has proven effective, with manual inspections of containers rising by 20 percent. This is a significant increase compared to the global standard, where manual inspections typically account for just 5 percent of total checks. Additionally, authorities have implemented several logistical measures to keep daily operations running smoothly, including disposing of damaged steel from the explosion and selling it to Egypt and Pakistan. However, hundreds of damaged cars and dozens of ships remain at the port, and they will not be removed until the indictment decision is issued, which will determine the “nature” of the explosion and how much insurance companies will pay in compensation.

To prevent future disasters, port authorities have ensured that no hazardous materials, such as fireworks, are stored at the port, even temporarily. International law permits the storage of such materials for up to three months, but given ongoing safety concerns, authorities are taking extra precautions.

Simulation of the Explosion

Sources involved in the investigation revealed that Judge Bitar conducted a simulation of the August 4 explosion at the port to assess the likelihood of ammonium nitrate igniting on its own. The simulation showed that igniting ammonium nitrate through conventional means would be highly difficult. Bitar has also requested records on the individuals responsible for managing the various departments within the port.