Judge goes after top officials over Beirut port blast

BEIRUT — The Lebanese judge leading the investigation into last year’s huge explosion at Beirut’s port intends to pursue senior politicians and former and current security chiefs in the case, and requested permission for their prosecution, state media reported.

The move on Friday was praised by families of the victims and survivors as a bold step by Judge Tarek Bitar, whose predecessor was removed following legal challenges by two former ministers he had accused of negligence that led to the explosion.

Bitar confirmed charges filed by his predecessor against outgoing Prime Minister Hassan Diab and summoned him for questioning,

National News Agency reported. He did not set a date.

Bitar also asked the government and the interior ministry for permission to question two of Lebanon’s most prominent security chiefs — the head of General Security Directorate, Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, and the head of State Security, Maj. Gen. Tony Saliba.

Separately, he asked parliament to lift immunity for two legislators who were charged by his predecessor, and a former interior minister. Bitar also filed charges against former army commander Gen. Jean Kahwaji and former head of military intelligence Brig. Gen. Kameel Daher, as well as two other retired intelligence generals, and said he will also be pursuing judges.

Nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive material used in fertilizers that had been improperly stored in the port for years, exploded on Aug. 4, killing 211 people, injuring more than 6,000 and devastating nearby neighborhoods.

The blast was one of the largest nonnuclear explosions ever recorded and was the most destructive single incident in Lebanon’s troubled history.

William Noon, whose brother, Joe, a firefighter, was killed while extinguishing the huge fire that led to the port blast, said Bitar was starting to deliver on his promises. However, he said he expected interference from politicians, adding that the families plan to take to the streets if Bitar is not allowed to carry on with his work.

“Judge Tarek Bitar has taken a very courageous decision,” wrote Lebanese lawyer and activist Nizar Saghieh on Twitter. “He is opening again the battle of (lifting) immunities against influential people.”

In an interview late last year, Diab said he was being singled out and charged while others knew more, calling it “diabolical.”

Hussein Malla / Associated Press 2020 A drone image from Aug. 5 shows the destruction after an explosion at the port in Beirut. The judge leading the probe requested permission to prosecute top Lebanese officials.