Investigator in Beirut Port Explosion Requests Summoning of Two Former Ministers

A Lebanese judicial official stated that the judge leading the investigation into last year's massive Beirut port explosion has renewed the summons for two former ministers for questioning. This decision by Judge Tarek Bitar comes despite strong criticism from the Iran-backed Hezbollah group regarding the prolonged investigation. Bitar has been in charge since February, after his predecessor was dismissed by court order following legal challenges from senior government officials who had also been summoned. Hezbollah's accusations have escalated the rhetoric targeting Bitar, leading to protests in the capital Beirut last week by supporters of Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement, against the judge. The protests turned into violence not seen in Lebanon for years: seven people were killed during five hours of clashes between supporters of the two groups and gunmen accused of aligning with the Lebanese Forces party. Bitar faced criticism for being responsible for the bloodshed. However, the judge proceeded on Tuesday with summoning the two former ministers, one of whom is an ally of Hezbollah, for questioning regarding the port explosion. Bitar had issued arrest warrants for the two former ministers, but with the resumption of parliamentary sessions on Tuesday after a break, the ministers requested parliamentary immunity that had previously protected them from prior questioning.