Justice Minister Adel Nassar on Monday rejected suggestions that the government had attempted to pressure Lebanon’s State Council, insisting that judicial independence remains untouchable.

“Any talk of exerting pressure, particularly by the Cabinet, on the State Council is categorically rejected and will not happen under any circumstances,” Nassar said in a statement carried by the National News Agency. He added that “at no point during Cabinet sessions was there any request of this kind to apply pressure on the judiciary.”

The minister stressed his “respect for the independence of the judiciary,” warning he would not remain silent in the face of attempts to interfere, whether directly or indirectly.

“The days of meddling in judicial affairs are over once and for all,” he said.

Nassar’s comments came in response to remarks attributed to Minister Yassine Jaber and published in Annahar newspaper on August 25. Jaber was quoted as calling on the Cabinet to press the State Council to expedite a pending decision.

“This needed to be clarified,” Nassar’s statement concluded.