After just one day of the removal of Judge Fadi Sawan, the Higher Judicial Council appointed Judge Tarek Bitar on Friday as the new lead investigator of the Beirut blast probe.
However, Judge Bitar, who is also the President of the Criminal Court in Beirut, is yet to accept the appointment, a role he had previously refused, back in August, when nominated by Justice Minister Najem.
At the time, Judge Bitar apologized to the Higher Judicial Council, in a letter expressing his hesitation to accept, noting: “for reasons and convictions that I made clear.”
His reasons were not made public.
Currently, the Judicial Council officially has approved the appointment of Judge Bitar, and the decision will be issued shortly, according to LBC news.
Caretaker Justice Minister Najem asked Judge Bitar to receive his duties at the Ministry of Justice as of tonight. If Judge Bitar gives his consent, he will officially become the lead investigator of the Beirut port blast starting tonight, according to LBC news.
Minister Marie-Claude Najm had proposed Judge Samer Younes earlier today. However, due to his close ties with President Michel Aoun, he was quickly rejected.
