Justice Minister Adel Nassar vowed to shield Lebanon’s judiciary from political interference, insisting that judicial appointments will be based strictly on merit and that court proceedings will remain free from external pressure. In an exclusive interview with Al Modon, Nassar addressed some of the country’s most pressing legal challenges, including the stalled investigation into the Beirut port explosion, Lebanon’s prison crisis, and the fate of Syrian detainees.

Judicial Independence at the Core

Nassar underscored his commitment to upholding the judiciary’s independence, making it clear that political meddling will not be tolerated.

“No one will be able to contact me to interfere in Lebanon’s judiciary. I will act according to my convictions, and the next phase will focus on placing the right judge in the right position. This step will enable judges to perform their duties as they should,” he stated.

When asked whether political bickering was delaying appointments to key judicial positions, Nassar dismissed the notion of both a power struggle and a potential political settlement.

“There is neither a struggle nor a settlement,” he said. “We will select the right candidate for each position, and I will propose names while the Cabinet will have the freedom to vote.”

He emphasized that judicial appointments will be made based on strict, predefined criteria to ensure that only independent and qualified judges assume key roles.

“I will choose judges who are not influenced by political factions, based on specific and essential standards. Political interference in this process will be prevented because President Joseph Aoun made it clear in his inaugural speech that he insists on judicial independence and keeping the judiciary free from politics. There is no intention to introduce political quotas into the judiciary.”

Beirut Port Explosion Investigation

Nearly five years after the devastating Beirut port explosion, the investigation into the Beirut Port explosion remains mired in legal and political gridlock. When asked whether justice would be served, Nassar reiterated that he would not interfere in individual cases but was committed to ensuring a functional judicial environment.

“I do not intervene in the substance of judicial cases, but since taking office, I have worked to create a comfortable environment for judges to carry out their duties,” he said. “My goal is to prove to them that the Justice Minister will defend all judges so they can follow through on their cases, issue rulings, and uphold justice.”

He also assured that the judiciary would be protected from external pressures.

“If any judge faces political pressure, the Justice Minister will stand by them, ensuring their protection from any interference. Moral support is the foundation of my approach. I will not exceed my authority, nor will I interfere in any case. My priority is to enforce the Judicial Independence Law and prevent political and partisan interference in judicial affairs.”

Prison Overcrowding and Syrian Detainees

Lebanon’s prison system is on the brink of collapse, with severe overcrowding and a growing backlog of cases exacerbating the crisis. More than 60 percent of detainees remain in custody without trial, according to Nassar.

“I will not allow this situation to go on for much longer,” he said, noting that efforts were already underway to address the issue. “We have started reviewing numerous cases and will later communicate with Syrian authorities.”

The fate of Syrian detainees in Lebanon has been a longstanding point of contention. When asked whether Lebanese authorities would engage with their Syrian counterparts on the matter, Nassar confirmed that no direct talks had taken place yet but left the door open for future discussions.

“A comprehensive reassessment of all cases is necessary, and we are launching a major initiative within the prisons to address existing issues. I have formed a specialized task force to handle these specific cases,” he explained. “Once we have clarity, we may then discuss the possibility of a visit to Syria or coordination with Syrian officials to resolve the status of Syrian detainees in Lebanon. However, as of now, there has been no direct communication with Syrian authorities on this matter—it will be addressed at a later stage.”

A New Era for Lebanon’s Judiciary

Despite Lebanon’s deep political and economic turmoil, Nassar remains optimistic about the country’s judicial future.

“Lebanese citizens are witnessing a new phase,” he said. “My fundamental duty is to support judges and help them carry out their work. In the coming period, I will work hard to prove that the judiciary is fulfilling its responsibilities. We must restore trust between the public and the judiciary. Once the judiciary can deliver justice effectively, confidence between the citizen and the state will be restored. The judiciary is the gateway to rebuilding this trust.”

President Aoun’s Role in Judicial Reform

Nassar credited President Joseph Aoun with spearheading efforts to reform Lebanon’s legal system and ensuring a fair and independent judiciary.

“From the very first moment, President Aoun has been implementing the vision outlined in his inaugural speech, dedicating an entire section to the independence of the judiciary. This must be our starting point. I consider myself fortunate to serve as Justice Minister under President Aoun.”

He expressed confidence in the current administration’s ability to follow through on its commitments.

“This administration will mark the revival of Lebanon’s judiciary. We are committed to ensuring a fair and impartial judicial system, and President Aoun will deliver on the promises he made to all Lebanese citizens. I am satisfied with the approach being taken within state institutions.”

Judicial Appointments 

One of the most anticipated judicial reforms is the long-overdue judicial appointments, which have been stalled for over six years. Nassar confirmed that these appointments would finally be achieved in 2025.

“The criteria for selecting judges will be based on competence, integrity, independence, and seniority,” he said. “The responsibility for judicial appointments lies solely with the Supreme Judicial Council whose president, Judge Souhail Abboud, has assured me that he will adhere to these standards, which are the same criteria I use when reviewing any judge’s file.”