Al-Rahi voices conditional support for naming alternate judge in port case

Maronite Patriarch Beshra al-Rahi appeared Sunday to back a controversial move to name an alternate judge in the Beirut port blast case.

“It is unfortunate that the Lebanese have reached a state of mistrust and politicization, which is what’s happening today between the families of victims of the Beirut port bombing and caretaker Justice Minister Henri Khoury,” al-Rahi said in his Sunday Mass sermon.

“The investigative judge in the case, Tarek Bitar, is staying in his post and is in charge of the investigation file, but he is handcuffed due to the finance minister’s refusal to sign the decree of judicial appointments,” the patriarch noted.

He added that the proposal to name an alternate judge “does not at all affect the jurisdiction of Judge Bitar” and is “related to the file of those who have been detained for more than two years.”

“We suggest hearing the opinion of the former heads of the Higher Judicial Council regarding the case, in order to settle it and reassure the families of the victims,” al-Rahi went on to say.

Turning to the presidential file, al-Rahi lamented the “atmosphere of grudges” among the political parties and blocs.

“We will not remain silent. We reject the paralyzing of the country, suspension of the constitution, preventing the formation of a government and blocking the election of a new president. We reject the imposition of a presidential vacuum, the violation of the position of the Presidency, and the destruction of the state of Lebanon and its special characteristics in the Levant and in this world,” al-Rahi said.

He added: “We are waiting for the loyal citizens to share our rejection and to demand, before October 31, for Lebanon to have a government and a president from the national independent environment -- a unifying president.”