MPs Stall Lifting Immunity in Port Blast Probe

MPs Stall Lifting Immunity in Port Blast Probe

Lebanese parliamentarians have held up an investigation into the Beirut port blast, less than a month before its first anniversary, demanding more proof before they lift immunity for ex-ministers wanted for questioning.

Hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizer exploded on the dockside at Beirut port last August 4, killing more than 200 people, injuring thousands and ravaging swathes of the capital.

Afterwards, it emerged that officials had known about the explosive substance being stored unsafely at the port for years.

Earlier this month, the lead judge in the case, Tarek al-Bitar, said he had demanded that parliament lift the immunity of ex-finance minister Ali Hasan Khalil, former public works minister Ghazi Zoaiter and ex-interior minister Nohad al-Mashnouq.

Bitar said he was looking at possible charges of "probable intent to murder" and "negligence."

Deputy Speaker Elie Ferzli said parliament's administration and justice committee met and decided to "request all evidence available in the investigation, as well as all documents that prove suspicions."

He said the committee would reconvene once it had received a reply, to decide whether or not to waive immunity.

Lawyer and activist Nizar Saghieh said the committee's request went against the separation of powers between the judiciary and the legislature, and "violated the confidentiality