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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Bitar Demands 'Immediate' Arrest of Ali Hassan Khalil
2021-12-11
[An Nahar] The Lebanese judge charged with investigating the Beirut port blast, Tarek Bitar, demanded Friday the immediate arrest of a former minister who has refused to appear before court, a judicial source said.

The investigation into the massive explosion at Beirut port on August 4, 2020 resumed Wednesday after a two-month hiatus caused by multiple lawsuits seen as seeking to hamper the work of Bitar.

The judiciary rejected the lawsuits against the judge -- filed primarily by senior political figures who have been targeted in his investigation -- allowing Bitar to resume his work.

His first task was to submit to the top prosecutor an arrest warrant against former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil, the judicial source said on condition of anonymity.

Bitar demanded the "immediate" arrest of Khalil, who is considered the right hand man of Parliament Speaker Nabih Knobby Berri
...Speaker of the Lebanese parliament, head of the Amal Shiite party aligned with Hezbollah, a not very subtle sock puppet of the Medes and Persians...
 who heads the Amal Movement.

The director-general of the Interior Security Forces, Maj. Gen. Imad Othman, had refused an earlier request for the arrest of Khalil, citing an article of the constitution.

"The refusal of a security apparatus to implement an arrest warrant constitutes a dangerous precedent that goes against the decisions of the judicial authority," the source said.

In a country where politicians determine judicial appointments, including in top courts, there is little room for the judiciary to work against Lebanon Hezbollahstan
...The land area formerly occupied by the state of Lebanon, before that Phoenicia...
's ruling elite.

Bitar's determination to question bigwigs over the blast has earned him the respect of the victims' families -- and the enmity of the political elite, particularly the Shiite alliance of Hizbullah
...Party of God, a Leb militia inspired, founded, funded and directed by Iran. Hizbullah refers to itself as The Resistance and purports to defend Leb against Israel, with whom it has started and lost one disastrous war to date, though it did claim victory...
 and Amal.

Deadly festivities broke out in October after the two Shiite parties called for his removal as head of the probe.

The two parties have since prevented the Lebanese cabinet from meeting in a bid to force Bitar's removal.

The 2020 blast killed 216 people and injured more than 6,500 others, destroying much of the Beirut port and devastating entire neighborhoods of the capital.

The explosion was caused by a huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate that had been improperly stored at the port for years, prompting accusations of gross negligence on the part of the authorities.


Related:
Tarek Bitar: 2021-12-08 Shiite Duo Stands Ground on Bitar, Parliament Distances Itself as Khoury Works on Exit
Tarek Bitar: 2021-12-08 Jumblat Says Lebanese Decision 'Usurped' by Hizbullah, 'New System' Needed
Tarek Bitar: 2021-12-06 Geagea Vows to Confront Any Bargain Aimed at 'Besieging' Bitar
Related:
Ali Hassan Khalil: 2021-11-29 Al-Rahi Hails Cassation Court's Ruling on Port Investigation
Ali Hassan Khalil: 2021-11-27 Nasrallah Says Judicial Developments Confirm 'Selectivity' in Port Case
Ali Hassan Khalil: 2021-10-29 Diab's Interrogation Suspended, Mashnouq Sues State to Suspend Tomorrow's Session
Related:
Nabih Knobby Berri: 2021-12-03 Hizbullah, Amal 'Won't Return to Cabinet' if Bitar Row Not Resolved
Nabih Knobby Berri: 2021-12-01 Miqati Raises Solution with Berri amid Reports of Possible Parliamentary 'Settlement'
Nabih Knobby Berri: 2021-11-27 Protesters Storm Social Affairs Ministry, Vandalize Aoun's Picture
Related:
Amal Movement: 2021-12-08 Shiite Duo Stands Ground on Bitar, Parliament Distances Itself as Khoury Works on Exit
Amal Movement: 2021-12-05 Hizbullah Says 'Open to Solutions' Leading to Cabinet Revival
Amal Movement: 2021-12-05 What's Next for Govt. after Kordahi's Resignation?
Related:
Imad Othman: 2017-05-28 6 wounded in ISIS attack of Lebanese Army patrol
Imad Othman: 2015-06-24 Security chief: No return to Roumieh impunity
Imad Othman: 2013-11-02 ISF Hits Back at Eid: He was Summoned following Judiciary Permission
Related:
Hizbullah: 2021-12-08 Shiite Duo Stands Ground on Bitar, Parliament Distances Itself as Khoury Works on Exit
Hizbullah: 2021-12-08 Jumblat Says Lebanese Decision 'Usurped' by Hizbullah, 'New System' Needed
Hizbullah: 2021-12-06 Geagea Vows to Confront Any Bargain Aimed at 'Besieging' Bitar
Posted by:Fred

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