In a landmark development awaited for more than eight years by judges, lawyers, and concerned citizens alike, Lebanon’s Higher Judicial Council on Wednesday finalized a sweeping judicial reshuffle, delivering the file to Justice Minister Adel Nassar, who pledged to endorse the appointments as received, without amendment or interference.

The judicial reshuffle, long stalled by political disputes and attempts by successive justice ministers to meddle in the proposals put forth by the Higher Judicial Council, was formally handed to Minister Nassar on Wednesday afternoon by Council Secretary Judge Rodney Daou.

According to judicial sources, Minister Nassar is expected to sign and forward the appointments exactly as they were submitted, marking a rare moment of institutional consensus in a country racked by political paralysis and endemic distrust in the judiciary.

“We waited a long time for the Higher Judicial Council to finalize this file,” Nassar said during a press conference. “The fundamental criterion in this matter is respect for judicial independence and adherence to objective standards. The Council has done its job to the fullest.”

Rejecting all forms of political interference, Nassar said he was proud the process had been conducted free of sectarian or partisan quotas.

“We adopted the principle of avoiding power-sharing arrangements, and that remains the foundation. I am relieved because the Council has worked according to clear standards. I have full confidence in its president, its members, and their long efforts to finalize these appointments.”

The justice minister stressed that his role was not to alter the reshuffle but to uphold judicial independence.

“I have not examined the minute details of the appointments,” he said. “But I operate from the principle that the Council abided by the standards.”

Nassar also dismissed reports of any rift between his office and the Higher Judicial Council.

“I let the Council do its work. Our relationship is excellent. We’re in touch on files unrelated to the reshuffle, and there is no conflict whatsoever.”

“I will review the file as required by law,” he added, “but I have no reason to delay it. The Council has proven its independence, seriousness, and professionalism. I trust their work completely.”

Responding to speculation over the contents of the reshuffle, Nassar said, “I don’t know exactly what’s in the envelope, but I can confirm that the appointments I have proposed to the Cabinet were made according to my conscience and free from favoritism. Political opinion is a right for every citizen, but we are not excluding anyone. That is not our approach.”

Port Blast Probe Will Continue "Until the End"

Nassar also reiterated the government’s commitment to pursuing justice in the investigation into the 2020 Beirut port explosion, one of the deadliest non-nuclear blasts in modern history.

“The investigation has two aspects,” he explained. “A humanitarian one, because of the scale of the disaster, the victims, and their families, and a national one, because the entire Lebanese population has the right to know the truth. This case cannot remain unanswered or unaccounted for.”

“There is a clear decision: the Beirut port explosion investigation will continue until the end, with no turning back,” Nassar said. “Judicial work will be reactivated. We will not allow any obstacle to stand in the way of discovering the truth, holding those responsible accountable, and delivering justice.”

“No one is above the law,” he affirmed. “The judicial investigator is doing his job, and I will do everything in my power, within the remit of the justice minister, to support the investigation.”

Key Judicial Appointments Revealed

The reshuffle includes dozens of key appointments across the judiciary. Among the most prominent:

• Judge Tarek Bitar was confirmed as President of the Beirut Criminal Court, in addition to his existing role as lead investigative judge in the 2020 port explosion case.

• Judge Claude Ghanem was appointed as Government Commissioner to the Military Court.

• Judge Rabih Houssami will head the Beirut Criminal Court.

• Judge Sami Sader was named Public Prosecutor for Mount Lebanon.

• Judge Kamal Nassar was appointed President of the Indictment Chamber in Beirut.

• Judge Raja Hamoush was named Public Prosecutor for Beirut.

• Judge Hani Helmi Hajjar was appointed Public Prosecutor for North Lebanon.

• Judge Marcel Haddad will serve as Public Prosecutor for the Bekaa region.

• Judge Zaher Hamadeh was named Public Prosecutor for the South.

• Judge Roula Othman was appointed First Investigative Judge in Beirut.

• Judge Najat Abou Chakra was named Public Prosecutor for Nabatieh.

• Judge Samranda Nassar was appointed Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation.

• Judge Bilal Halawi was appointed Deputy Public Prosecutor for Mount Lebanon.

• Judge Ghada Bou Alwan was appointed First Military Investigative Judge.

• Judge Naji Dahdah was appointed First Investigative Judge in North Lebanon.

• Judges Mirna Kallas, Sabouh Suleiman, Imad Said, and Ahmad Rami Al-Hajj were named Deputy Public Prosecutors at the Court of Cassation.

• Judge Amani Salameh was appointed First Investigative Judge in South Lebanon.

• Judge Ghassan Khoury was named to the State Litigation Department at the Ministry of Justice.

• Judge Fadi Akiki was appointed President of the Beirut Court of Appeals.

• Judge Dora El Khazen was appointed President of the Indictment Chamber in Baabda.

The appointments, once signed and ratified, will take immediate effect.