Lebanon - March 2025

On 10 March, interim Public Prosecutor Jamal Hajjar overturned a directive by his predecessor, Ghassan Oueidate, which had barred security and judicial authorities from cooperating with Judge Tarek Bitar, the lead investigator of the 2020 Beirut port explosion. In January 2023, Oueidate had controversially ordered the release of 17 detainees linked to the blast and accused Bitar of exceeding his mandate after he indicted several senior officials. By blocking cooperation with Bitar, the investigation was obstructed. While Hajjar’s decision does not reverse the release of the detainees, it restores Bitar’s authority to request evidence and rely on law enforcement to execute summons and arrest warrants, powers previously stripped from him. The move marks a key step in reviving the long-stalled investigation, which resumed in January. After a new cabinet formed in February, Hajjar was confirmed as Chief Public Prosecutor on 31 March, making his appointment permanent after serving in an acting role since early 2024, following Oueidate’s retirement.

Sources: Le Orient L’Jour (1), Le Orient L’Jour (2), Le Orient L’Jour (3), National News Agency, Human Rights Watch, International IDEA