Lebanese judicial sources have confirmed that Judge Jamal al-Hajjar, the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, has issued a decision reversing a previous ruling by his predecessor, Judge Ghassan Oueidat, that had blocked cooperation between investigative judge Tarek Bitar and the Court of Cassation.

The Lebanon Debate website, citing sources familiar with the matter, revealed that collaboration between Judge Bitar and Judge al-Hajjar in the ongoing investigation into the Beirut port explosion is on the verge of resuming. A meeting is set to take place between the two judges on Wednesday, with the aim of "restarting their work together" after they reach an agreement on several key contentious issues, under the supervision of newly appointed Justice Minister Adel Nassar.

The sources further emphasized that the meeting is expected to result in a decision by Judge al-Hajjar to formally reverse Oueidat’s previous ruling, informing Bitar of the change. This move marks a significant step forward in resolving the deadlock that has stalled the investigation into the August 2020 explosion, which devastated Beirut and killed over 200 people.

However, the process has encountered a complication. In a hasty move, Judge Bitar reportedly referred a memorandum of formal defenses from one of the defendants in the case to the Court of Cassation Public Prosecutor today. Bitar did not wait for a formal letter from al-Hajjar reversing his predecessor's decision, which had barred any employee of the Court of Cassation from accepting documents from the investigative judge.

Despite these recent tensions, sources close to the investigation remain optimistic, asserting that the Beirut port probe is on track for resolution. They expect the legal proceedings to continue unfolding and ultimately lead to the issuance of an indictment, potentially before the fifth anniversary of the explosion on August 4, 2025.

Nevertheless, questions remain about the future of numerous recusal lawsuits against Judge Bitar and the allegations of abuse of authority filed against him. The ongoing legal challenges could complicate the resolution of the case, adding further uncertainty to a long-delayed process that has drawn widespread public attention.

The investigation into the Beirut blast has faced numerous hurdles, including a two-year ban imposed by the Court of Cassation's prosecutor. This ban, implemented in January 2023 by then-prosecutor general Ghassan Oueidat, prevented the judicial police from assisting Bitar in executing arrest warrants, delivering notifications, and transmitting essential documents related to the case. Oueidat’s actions were widely seen as retaliation after Bitar charged him in connection with the explosion, which led to the release of 17 detainees and legal proceedings accusing Bitar of "usurping authority."

When Oueidat retired in February 2024, his successor, Jamal al-Hajjar, placed conditions on any potential cooperation. He suggested that Bitar’s investigation be divided, limiting his authority to cases involving public officials while excluding political figures, magistrates, and officers. Bitar, however, rejected these conditions, arguing that the unity of the case is crucial for uncovering the truth.