News
Latest News
news bulletin
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Other News
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Beirut
22
o
Bekaa
20
o
Keserwan
23
o
Metn
23
o
Mount Lebanon
21
o
North
22
o
South
22
o
Live
Video
Audio
Schedule
shows
العربية
watching now
Nightly News Bulletin
SUBSCRIBE
Home
Notification
Live
Video
Audio
shows
Beirut
22
o
Bekaa
20
o
Keserwan
23
o
Metn
23
o
Mount Lebanon
21
o
North
22
o
South
22
o
News
Programs
The News
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Programs
Series
Movies
Documentaries
Variety
Comedy
Talk Show
News Bulletin
Sports
Breaking News
Latest News
Highlighted News
Most Read
Videos
العربية
Watch the latest programs and the latest developments on your favorite screen
Shows
Join millions of followers
Who We Are
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Careers
Channel frequencies
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Mark Daou meets State Department, stresses accountability in Beirut port investigation
News Bulletin Reports
31-01-2023 | 10:46
High views
Share
Share
4
min
Mark Daou meets State Department, stresses accountability in Beirut port investigation
Regarding the Lebanese parliamentary delegation's recent visit to Washington, D.C., Change MP Mark Daou participated in a meeting at the US State Department, which focused on the issue of sanctions, border control, and smuggling prevention.
During the meeting, Daou raised a petition signed by expatriate groups calling for the protection of Judge Tarek Bitar and sanctioning anyone involved in stalling the investigation, including Judge Ghassan Oweidat.
In a joint appeal supporting Judge Bitar's investigation into the August 4 explosion, groups and organizations in Lebanon and Lebanese diaspora groups from all around the world urged governments of the European Union countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States to take necessary measures and impose sanctions to hold the perpetrators accountable, "several of whom have been relentlessly trying to obstruct justice and enjoy impunity despite the efforts of Judge Tarek Bitar to subpoena these suspects for questioning."
The global appeal for international action calls for accountability by the Lebanese Judges' Association, the Beirut Bar Association, and more than 40 Lebanese MPs, some of whom have been staging sit-ins inside Parliament in protest of the breakdown in Lebanon's rule of law and constitutional order.
The plead comes after the investigations have been facing obstructions by several political actors in Lebanon, attempting to intimidate and overthrow judge Tarek Bitar, including death threats, a travel ban, and counter-charges filed against him.
The General Prosecutor, Ghassan Oweidate, also tried to dismiss Judge Bitar, as he previously refused to appear when summoned for questioning in the same file, adding that Oweidat disregarded the independence of the judiciary and acted in violation of articles 356, 357, and 362 of the Code of Criminal Procedures in Lebanon, which does not allow the dismissal of the investigating judge, and which lets Judge Bitar summon any official for questioning without prior authorization.
"Other forms of obstruction that the investigation faced include officials not showing up when subpoenaed, judicial and administrative stalling tactics, as well as the use of violence by some political actors."
This resulted in a "breakdown of the rule of law," as families of the victims have yet to be given justice or closure while the suspects and other "Politically Exposed Persons" enjoy impunity.
"Our call for international sanctions is due to the Lebanese state's failure to comply with its international obligations as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights & the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which Lebanon is party to," the joint appeal reported.
The statement also called the international community to:
Impose immediate financial and travel sanctions against all those who are obstructing the investigation and access to justice in the Beirut Explosion, and whose corrupt behavior is undermining the rule of law. Several political and security officials, in addition to some members of the judiciary, publicly expressed their contempt of the investigation and/or refused to comply with the investigating judge's summons; (A non-exhaustive list* of names of those officials is found below)
Exert pressure on the Lebanese Authorities to ensure the safety of Judge Bitar and to cease all harassment and intimidation directed towards him;
Pressure the Lebanese Authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure that this crucial domestic investigation proceed without any political interference, in order to provide redress for violations of the right to life;
Request a United Nations Human Rights Council fact-finding mission to support the investigation.
Breaking Headlines
Lebanon News
News Bulletin Reports
Lebanon
Tarek Bitar
Ghassan Oweidat
Beirut Port Explosion
Investigation
Probe
Washington
U.S. State Department
Next
Israeli army plans to reinforce border with Lebanon, prepares for withdrawal from Western sector
Recommended For You
d-none hideMe
0
News Bulletin Reports
13:01
Municipal race heats up in Lebanon's Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel—An overview
News Bulletin Reports
13:01
Municipal race heats up in Lebanon's Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel—An overview
0
News Bulletin Reports
12:56
New US proposal offers hostage release, ceasefire, and post-war vision for Gaza
News Bulletin Reports
12:56
New US proposal offers hostage release, ceasefire, and post-war vision for Gaza
0
News Bulletin Reports
13:10
US envoy in Israel, Trump's coming visit to Mideast: Tensions mount amid prisoner deal developments
News Bulletin Reports
13:10
US envoy in Israel, Trump's coming visit to Mideast: Tensions mount amid prisoner deal developments
0
News Bulletin Reports
2025-05-12
Beirut's municipal race intensifies: Elections stir debate over power, tradition, and politics
News Bulletin Reports
2025-05-12
Beirut's municipal race intensifies: Elections stir debate over power, tradition, and politics
Subscribe to our VOD
SUBSCRIBE
Our visitors readings
d-none hideMe
0
Middle East News
2025-03-20
Detained Istanbul mayor appeals to Erdogan's party, judiciary
Middle East News
2025-03-20
Detained Istanbul mayor appeals to Erdogan's party, judiciary
0
Middle East News
06:03
US and GCC to hold summit in Riyadh during Trump visit
Middle East News
06:03
US and GCC to hold summit in Riyadh during Trump visit
0
Lebanon News
07:53
Baalbek-Hermel governor extends deadline for mukhtar election nominations
Lebanon News
07:53
Baalbek-Hermel governor extends deadline for mukhtar election nominations
0
World News
10:20
US, Saudi Arabia ink massive $142 billion arms deal: Statement
World News
10:20
US, Saudi Arabia ink massive $142 billion arms deal: Statement
Videos
d-none hideMe
0
Lebanon News
2025-05-11
Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video
Lebanon News
2025-05-11
Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video
0
Lebanon News
2025-05-11
Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers
Lebanon News
2025-05-11
Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers
0
News Bulletin Reports
2025-05-09
EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview
News Bulletin Reports
2025-05-09
EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview
0
Lebanon News
2025-04-23
US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads
Lebanon News
2025-04-23
US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads
0
Lebanon News
2025-04-08
Morgan Ortagus urges Lebanon to pass banking reforms to restore financial trust
Lebanon News
2025-04-08
Morgan Ortagus urges Lebanon to pass banking reforms to restore financial trust
0
Lebanon News
2025-04-06
LBCI Exclusive: US envoy Morgan Ortagus reveals US vision for Lebanon’s stability and disarmament – full interview transcript
Lebanon News
2025-04-06
LBCI Exclusive: US envoy Morgan Ortagus reveals US vision for Lebanon’s stability and disarmament – full interview transcript
0
Lebanon News
2025-03-23
LBCI's Pierre El Daher bids farewell to Hoda Chedid: You will always be our guiding light
Lebanon News
2025-03-23
LBCI's Pierre El Daher bids farewell to Hoda Chedid: You will always be our guiding light
0
Middle East News
2025-03-19
Israeli official urges international support for Lebanese government and army
Middle East News
2025-03-19
Israeli official urges international support for Lebanese government and army
0
Lebanon News
2025-02-23
Israeli aircraft fly at low altitude over Beirut during Hezbollah's former leaders funeral
Lebanon News
2025-02-23
Israeli aircraft fly at low altitude over Beirut during Hezbollah's former leaders funeral
Most read
d-none hideMe
24 hours
7 days
Month
1
Lebanon News
14:23
Hezbollah's Naim Qassem says new era under Lebanese President Joseph Aoun filled with 'hope'
Lebanon News
14:23
Hezbollah's Naim Qassem says new era under Lebanese President Joseph Aoun filled with 'hope'
2
Lebanon News
14:05
Zgharta district 2025 municipal election results published
Lebanon News
14:05
Zgharta district 2025 municipal election results published
3
Lebanon News
05:49
US State Department spokesman Sam Werberg to LBCI: US actively seeking best ways to support the Lebanese Army
Lebanon News
05:49
US State Department spokesman Sam Werberg to LBCI: US actively seeking best ways to support the Lebanese Army
4
Lebanon News
03:28
PM Salam conducts inspection tour at Beirut Airport, pledges improvements
Lebanon News
03:28
PM Salam conducts inspection tour at Beirut Airport, pledges improvements
5
Lebanon News
07:44
Israeli drone targets motorcycle in South Lebanon's Houla
Lebanon News
07:44
Israeli drone targets motorcycle in South Lebanon's Houla
6
News Bulletin Reports
13:10
US envoy in Israel, Trump's coming visit to Mideast: Tensions mount amid prisoner deal developments
News Bulletin Reports
13:10
US envoy in Israel, Trump's coming visit to Mideast: Tensions mount amid prisoner deal developments
7
Lebanon News
03:52
Bekaa electoral rundown: A look at uncontested wins ahead of municipal elections
Lebanon News
03:52
Bekaa electoral rundown: A look at uncontested wins ahead of municipal elections
8
Middle East News
03:34
Saudi Crown Prince welcomes US President Trump in Riyadh—Video
Middle East News
03:34
Saudi Crown Prince welcomes US President Trump in Riyadh—Video
Download now the LBCI mobile app
To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world
Google Play
App Store
We use
cookies
We use
cookies
to make
your experience on this
website better.
Accept
Learn More