Lebanon court dismisses case against Beirut blast judge allowing probe to continue

The probe into last year’s catastrophic Beirut port blast that left over 200 dead was suspended this week on the back of a complaint brought forward by two top politicians lead judge Tarek Bitar was seeking to question. (File/AFP)
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Updated 14 October 2021
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Lebanon court dismisses case against Beirut blast judge allowing probe to continue

  • The probe into last year’s catastrophic Beirut port blast that left over 200 dead was suspended this week

BEIRUT: A Lebanese court on Thursday dismissed the latest legal complaint brought against the lead investigator of the Beirut port blast probe, allowing him to resume work, a judicial source and court documents showed.
The probe into last year’s catastrophic Beirut port blast that left over 200 dead was suspended this week on the back of a complaint brought forward by two top politicians lead judge Tarek Bitar was seeking to question.


Qatar, Jordan and Egypt condemn Israeli ceasefire violations in Gaza

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Qatar, Jordan and Egypt condemn Israeli ceasefire violations in Gaza

  • Israel pounded Gaza on Saturday with some of its most intense ​airstrikes since the October ceasefire was brokered

LONDON: Qatar, Jordan and Egypt on Saturday strongly condemned Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, warning that the attacks risk dangerous escalation and undermine regional and international efforts to restore stability.

Israel pounded Gaza on Saturday with some of its most intense ​airstrikes since the October ceasefire was brokered, killing more than 30 people including three girls from one family, in attacks on houses, tents and a police station, Palestinian health officials said.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the breaches, which have resulted in fatalities and injuries, threaten the political pathway aimed at de-escalation and jeopardize efforts to create a safer environment for Palestinians in Gaza, the Qatar News Agency reported.

Doha urged Israel to fully comply with the ceasefire agreement, calling for maximum restraint from all parties to ensure the success of the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

The ministry also stressed the importance of creating conditions conducive to early recovery and reconstruction in the enclave.

Jordan echoed the condemnation, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates describing the latest incidents as a blatant breach of the ceasefire and a dangerous escalation.

Ministry spokesperson Fouad Majali called for strict adherence to the agreement and its provisions, including the immediate, adequate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, as well as moving forward with the second phase of the deal, the Jordan News Agency reported.

Majali urged the international community to fulfil its legal and moral responsibilities to ensure Israel’s compliance, while warning against actions that could derail de-escalation efforts. He also reiterated Jordan’s call for a clear political horizon leading to an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Egypt, meanwhile, condemned what it described as recurrent Israeli breaches that have led to the deaths of at least 25 Palestinians.

Cairo warned that such actions risk turning the situation into a tinderbox and threaten ongoing efforts to stabilize Gaza at both the security and humanitarian levels.

In a statement, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry appealed to all parties to exercise maximum restraint, safeguard the ceasefire, and avoid measures that could undermine the political process. It stressed the need to maintain momentum toward early recovery and reconstruction, emphasizing that continued violations directly threaten prospects for lasting stability in the enclave.