Justice Minister Adel Nassar reaffirmed that judicial independence remains a core priority of his tenure, emphasizing the need to shield the judiciary from political interference and external pressures.

In an interview on Alhurra TV, Nassar stated that amendments to the judicial independence law are currently being refined, with a final draft set to be submitted to the Administration and Justice Committee before being swiftly forwarded to Parliament, no later than a month and a half from now.

Nassar denied facing any political pressure or interference regarding judicial appointments and underscored his confidence in President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and the head of the Higher Judicial Council, Souheil Abboud.

“No one has contacted me to endorse or promote any candidate for the Higher Judicial Council,” Nassar said. “No one has dared, nor will they dare, to take such a step.”

Regarding the formation of the Higher Judicial Council, Nassar confirmed that the process is progressing rapidly.

“This will happen very soon. I am currently reviewing the matter and preparing my recommendations for the Cabinet,” he said, adding that speeding up judicial appointments is crucial to advancing investigations, particularly into the 2020 Beirut Port explosion—a case he considers a top priority for both himself and the government. He warned against any further obstructions, recalling previous delays in the case.

Nassar also addressed concerns about foreign influence following a series of meetings with several ambassadors. He stated unequivocally that the only question raised by diplomats pertained to international judicial cooperation. He clarified that he had personally sought their assistance in restoring court facilities and securing advanced technologies to improve judicial efficiency.

Amid growing discussions on potential peace with Israel, Nassar insisted that Lebanon’s national interest must be the sole guiding principle in shaping both domestic and foreign policy.

“The time will come when we all realize that Lebanon’s best interests lie in neutrality and peace, ensuring that no Lebanese citizen is harmed for the sake of any external party,” he said.

The minister stressed the importance of initiating a process of reconciliation and open dialogue among Lebanon’s diverse communities, recognizing past wounds as a necessary step toward determining the country’s future course.

“There is no absolute evil. The real evil is when leaders fail to act in the best interest of their people,” Nassar said. “Likewise, there should be no outright rejection of any initiative as long as there is clear internal consensus on it.”

While clarifying that he does not speak on behalf of the Lebanese state, Nassar personally expressed support for Lebanon’s neutrality, emphasizing the need to consider the resolutions of the Arab League summit held in Beirut, the two-state solution, and any peace initiative that aligns with Lebanese consensus while acknowledging the deep historical wounds within the country.

Nassar also clarified that neither he nor his family have any political affiliations, despite his personal ties with Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel. He praised the latter's approach, describing his recent speech in Parliament as the product of extensive research and deep discussions on Lebanon’s challenges.

“Lebanon cannot be rebuilt by simply turning the page on the past. What Gemayel proposes is a national project rooted in a sense of belonging to Lebanon,” he said.

Addressing how such a project could be implemented, Nassar noted that Gemayel had explored multiple mechanisms. He urged President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to take the initiative in establishing a framework for Lebanon’s national project.

“The issue is not whether Hezbollah will hand over its weapons or not. That matter is already influenced by external decisions and pressures,” Nassar explained. “However, it is crucial for Hezbollah to take the initiative for purely internal reasons—to build a Lebanese state that truly belongs to its people.”