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The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Can Lebanon's new government finally achieve justice for Beirut blast victims?
August 4 will mark the fifth anniversary of the Beirut port explosion that killed more than 200 people, one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever. The families of the victims are still awaiting justice. Earlier this year the magistrate investigating the tragedy, Tariq Bitar, resumed his investigation, which had been suspended after politicians had repeatedly intervened to derail it. The election of Joseph Aoun as president in January, which was followed by the appointment of Nawaf Salam as prime minister, led to much hope that Mr Bitar's efforts would achieve results. They may yet, not least because the magistrate has shown great persistence and courage in moving ahead in his task, but the obstacles remain immense. What is in Mr Bitar's favour is that Mr Salam, a former judge who was president of the International Court of Justice, has committed to pushing forward a plan for the independence of the judiciary. Mr Aoun has also sought to portray himself as a reformer. However, it is almost certain that politics will again complicate matters. Once an indictment threatens the power of Lebanon's political leadership, they will circle the wagons and seek to neutralise the investigation Mr Bitar had cast a wide net on responsibility in his investigation, which rubbed many members of Lebanon's political class the wrong way. Beirut port was a house of many mansions, in which the country's different political factions named their people to positions of influence. In summoning politicians and security figures to see who was responsible for allowing the ammonium nitrate that caused the explosion to be stored at the port, the magistrate provoked alarm and pushback across the political spectrum. In October 2021, Hezbollah and the allied Amal movement took the protests up a notch, in an alarming way. Their partisans organised a demonstration against Mr Bitar before the Palace of Justice, passing by the Christian neighbourhood of Ain Al Remmaneh. On their way, a number of demonstrators entered the neighbourhood, shouting sectarian slogans, provoking a response from young men in the area who killed at least one demonstrator. The decision to enter Ain Al Remmaneh was not fortuitous. A large majority of the victims of the explosion were Christians. By invading a predominantly Christian area and shouting pro-Shiite slogans, the demonstrators wanted to show that if the Bitar investigation continued, it could lead to sectarian conflict. After the shooting of the demonstrators, Hezbollah and Amal returned with their weapons, which could have led to an armed sectarian clash. At just the right moment, however, the army intervened and fired on the armed demonstrators, killing several of them and stopping them in their tracks, which restored calm and prevented the worst. Behind the scenes, the military told those close to it, not unreasonably, that it had averted a new civil war, though it never publicly acknowledged responsibility for firing on the demonstrators. The army commander at the time was Joseph Aoun, the current president. Therefore, between Mr Aoun, who showed great decisiveness in October 2021, and Mr Salam, who supports an independent judiciary, Mr Bitar may have little to fear. Yet the likelihood is the judge will face the same obstacles he did under the government of former prime minister Najib Mikati if Mr Bitar decides to arrest senior politicians. On top of this, we can't ignore that the president or prime minister may have political calculations of their own. For example, while Mr Aoun retains much respect, he has also sought to preserve a good relationship with the parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, and with Hezbollah. This makes sense in practical terms, because both still have the power to block many decisions in the country. The president is also keen, under international pressure, to reach a peaceful agreement with Hezbollah over its weapons, therefore wants to avoid anything that might hinder this. Mr Aoun, it also seems, would like to bring a contingent of supporters to parliament in the elections next year. Several of his prospective candidates are well known, and were expelled from the Free Patriotic Movement led by Gebran Bassil. Most of them would require Shiite votes to be re-elected in their districts, namely Baabda, Jbeil, and even the Metn, where solid Shiite voting blocs exist. Would Mr Aoun jeopardise such support if it means backing Mr Bitar's decision to bring in politicians or security figures close to Mr Berri and Hezbollah for questioning? Given his electoral ambitions, and Mr Berri's and Hezbollah's centrality to his other aims, it's not certain. It may be too early to make predictions, although there have been reports that Mr Bitar would like to bring out indictments on the five-year anniversary. But even if indictments are issued, how might the political class react? The port explosion is like Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, in that the negligence and corruption making it possible stretched across the political landscape, so that everyone was in on the crime. We can be certain that once an indictment threatens the power of Lebanon's political leadership, they will circle the wagons and seek to neutralise the investigation. They may not be able to stop Mr Bitar, and it would be foolish at this stage to try, but they might try to find scapegoats and limit indictments to such figures, before closing the file. The wild card here is Mr Bitar himself. He has shown great integrity in pursuing his work, despite the very real risks he has faced. He's not likely to agree to sweep things under the rug. However, many of his superiors may do so. The victims' families would like to see justice, as is their right, but Lebanon is a country where justice has been absent for decades.
L'Orient-Le Jour
21-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Oueidat once again absent from interrogation with Judge Bitar over Aug. 4 port explosion
Former public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Judge Ghassan Oueidat, did not appear at the interrogation session scheduled for Monday before investigating judge at the Court of Justice, Tarek Bitar, who had summoned him as part of his investigation into the explosion that occurred at Beirut Port on Aug. 4, 2020. Judge Bitar decided to 'not summon Judge Oueidat again and to postpone any decision regarding him until the indictment is issued,' in accordance with the approach adopted for 'other people recently questioned,' reported the state-run National News Agency (NNA). On July 11, Oueidat declined to appear. He had not been notified of the hearing by the judicial police and had been summoned via the Public Prosecution, according to a high-ranking judicial source cited by L'Orient-Le Jour. Judge Bitar then set a new hearing for July 21, 10 days later. In January 2023, Oueidat prohibited the Public Prosecution and the judicial police from cooperating with Bitar in the port investigation. This ban was lifted on March 10, 2025, by the new public prosecutor, Jamal Hajjar, after 26 months of deadlock. On July 4, it was Amal MP and former minister Ghazi Zeaiter who did not appear at his hearing, choosing to be represented by his lawyer, Samer al-Hajj. A new summons was set for July 18, which Zeaiter also failed to attend. On Aug. 4, 2020, one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history devastated a large part of the Lebanese capital, killing more than 220 people and injuring 6,500. The blast was caused by a fire in a port warehouse where tons of ammonium nitrate had been stored without precaution, despite repeated warnings to the highest authorities, who were accused of negligence. Judge Bitar had to suspend his investigations in January 2023, faced with hostility from much of the political class, notably Hezbollah, as well as a series of legal actions brought against him. He resumed his investigation at the beginning of 2025 and has already questioned several former officials, including former Prime Minister Hassan Diab and former Interior Minister Nohad Mashnouk.
Nahar Net
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Zoaiter and Oueidat refuse to appear before Bitar in port case
Former public works and transport minister Ghazi Zoaiter on Friday failed to appear before Beirut port blast investigator Judge Tarek Bitar, the National News Agency said. Zoaiter's lawyer Samer al-Hajj, however, attended the session, NNA added. 'In light of Zoaiter's failure to show up, the judicial investigator postponed taking a decision against him until the issuance of the indictment,' the agency said. Former state prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat had on Thursday refused to receive a subpoena summoning him to interrogation before Bitar on July 21, calling the later 'ineligible and lacking jurisdiction.' In a written response, Oueidat considered the subpoena as null and void and said Bitar lacks 'legitimacy.' During his term as state prosecutor, Oueidat had charged Bitar for "rebelling against the judiciary" and slapped him with a travel ban. Oueidat said that he charged Bitar in order to "prevent sedition." He also summoned Bitar for questioning. Moreover, Oueidat ordered the release of all suspects detained in connection with the deadly 2020 port blast. "Security forces' enforcement of the state prosecutor's order to release the detainees will be a coup against the law," Bitar told al-Jadeed at the time. The detainees did walk free after Oueidat's decision. "Only the judicial investigator has the right to issue release orders and accordingly Stat Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat's decision has no legal value," Bitar added. Bitar had resumed work on the port blast investigation after a 13-month hiatus, charging several high-level officials, including Oueidat, over the blast. The August 4, 2020 explosion, one of history's biggest non-nuclear blasts, killed more than 220 people, injured thousands and devastated swathes of the Lebanese capital. The explosion was caused by the detonation of hundreds of tons of poorly-stored ammonium nitrate fertilizer following a blaze. Security sources initially suggested welding work could have started the fire that triggered the blast, but experts have since dismissed the theory as unlikely and an attempt to shift the blame off high-level failings. The probe stalled two years ago after Hezbollah accused Bitar of bias and demanded his dismissal, and after officials named in the investigation filed a flurry of lawsuits against him. The resumption of work comes with Hezbollah's influence weakened after its recent war with Israel and follows the election of a Lebanese president after a more than two-year vacancy. President Joseph Aoun on Thursday told a delegation from the families of the Beirut port blast victims that he has a 'clear commitment' to 'unveil the full truth' and 'hold accountable all those who caused this tragedy.' 'This is the path to pull our country out of the darkness of corruption and negligence,' Aoun added. 'From now on, the judiciary will take its course, the guilty will be put on trial and the innocent will be acquitted,' Aoun pledged.
L'Orient-Le Jour
17-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Former prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat refuses to be notified of summons from Judge Bitar
Former public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation Ghassan Oueidat refused on Thursday to be notified of a hearing scheduled by investigative judge at the Court of Justice Tarek Bitar for questioning on Monday as a suspect in the case of the double explosion at Beirut's port, which occurred on Aug. 4, 2020. In practice, the judicial police, acting on instructions from the head of the Court of Cassation, public prosecutor's office Jamal Hajjar, went on Thursday to Shehim — the former magistrate's hometown and place of residence in the Chouf — to deliver his summons, a source at the Palace of Justice told L'Orient-Le Jour. Oueidat read the notification without signing it and sent a letter to Bitar through the police officer, in which he asserts that the judge has neither 'legitimacy' nor 'jurisdiction' to question him. To justify his refusal, Oueidat relied on Article 354 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which he interprets as requiring, among other things, that a magistrate accused of a misdemeanor or felony must be tried before a judicial body designated ad hoc. Oueidat had already been summoned on July 11 by Bitar, but did not attend the hearing as the judicial police had not duly notified him. In January 2023, the former head of the public prosecutor's office initiated legal proceedings against Bitar for 'usurpation of authority' and 'rebellion against the judiciary,' after the latter decided, based on a legal study, to resume his investigation by bypassing the judicial deadlock he faced due to a series of appeals filed against him by suspects — which were deemed abusive.
Herald Sun
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
NRL fanatic's Instagram account shut down as league investigates online commentary
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Instagram account of the 'most feared man in the NRL' has been shut down, after the league's integrity unit was alerted to allegedly abusive rants directed at Dragons Coach Shane Flanagan. The Dragons raised concerns with the NRL after an X-rated rant on social media from 25-year-old apprentice carpenter and content creator Jean-Claude Bitar went viral. The account is no longer active. Speaking to Bitar said the NRL should be focusing on 'bigger issues of the game' and vowed he 'will not be silenced.' 'They're taking away the voice of a fanatic fan who spends his hard-earned money to support the club through thick and thin. I've been here for over 20 years and I never miss a game. I have never incited violence or conspired to have anyone message players or coaches personally; if anything, I tell everyone not to do that. As a fan, I have the right to criticise the performance of players, as does everyone else. I'm livid with the fact that a big company such as the NRL is going after a small content creator like me who creates entertainment through his pain,' he added. 'They've tried to silence me, but in turn, this will make me grow and make people more intrigued to hear what I've got to say because of this. 'In terms of my Instagram ban, I feel very wronged. My page was pure entertainment, and having past and present players, commentators, managers, and journalists reach out to me expressing their love for my content, I believe the NRL has gone way overboard with this.' Bitar might not even play in the NRL, but has them running scared thanks to a series of social media videos that have gone viral. Declared the 'funniest man on the net at the moment' by Bulldogs legend Reni Maitua after taking down Dragon's father and son Shane and Kyle Flanagan in a rant that has been viewed almost 500,000 times, Bitar's hard hitting commentary has attracted the attention of rugby league heavyweights, including NRL 360 host Braith Anasta, who has hailed him as 'ruthless.' 'If that were you or one of your mates he was talking about, you'd want to kill him,' Anasta said. 'Can you imagine watching that if you were Shane or Kyle? Oh my God. But as ruthless as he is and sometimes over the top, he is also creative. I couldn't wait to see what he did after the Sharks (v Dragons) game last week. But could you imagine seeing that if you were following him and you were the player?'. Fresh from taking aim at State of Origin referee Ashley Klein following NSW's failed comeback against Queensland in another video that has stormed the net, Bitar revealed he has been blocked from viewing the St George Illawarra website and their social media accounts after being critical of the club. 'I went to look at the team list about six weeks ago and I couldn't find it,' Bitar told 'I thought maybe there was a glitch. Then I went to TikTok and Facebook, and I realised I was blocked on all accounts. I could not believe they were blocking a supporter because he is speaking the thoughts of every fan.' Being blocked did not deter the carpenter from Belfield. 'Na, I made a video straight away saying they were pathetic and it was one of my biggest hits.' A host of NRL players have personally contacted Bitar. Some tell him they love his work. Others tell him to stop. 'The first person to contact me was Blake Lawrie's brother,' he said. 'I was giving it to him a bit, and then I remember his brother reached out to me and said: 'you have got to stop making these videos. You're gonna get yourself in big trouble.' 'But I didn't stop. Not when I knew the players were actually watching my videos.' Most of his videos are about St George Illawarra given Bitar is a 'die hard' Dragons fan who has supported the club since he could walk – and was even in their junior development squad. 'Most of the players are fans,' Bitar said. 'They come up to me at games and recite my jokes'. Filming his first NRL post in February, Bitar's videos have gone viral, and he has now posted more than 150. 'They are all pretty big at the moment,' he said. 'Right now, there's the Origin one that's going around, that's got 300,000 views. I think my biggest is one about my reaction to a game that got almost half a million.' And in a warning to the NRL's underperforming and out-of-form, Bitar declared he has just begun. 'Regardless of whether they block me, I'm gonna keep going with the videos. 'People are enjoying it. I'm enjoying it. I'm doing this for fun. I'm a footy fanatic and I have the right to express my views. I'm just saying what everyone is thinking,' he said.
