The Lebanese Judge Association announced on Friday that they will no longer accept requests to remove Beirut Blast Investigator Judge Tarek Bitar, the National News Agency reported.
“Whoever has ears should listen well to the voice of the law, and stop messing with the last bastion of the idea of the state,” the statement read.
They added that it is imperative for all judges to unite and prevent any attempts to bypass the power of the judiciary, stressing the need for its independence.
During his tenure as Investigative Judge, Tarek Bitar has faced intense resistance from politicians to cooperate.
The political establishment has filed numerous requests demanding his dismissal – requests which keep hindering his work as it forces him to pause the investigation each time.
On Thursday, violent clashes erupted in the streets of Beirut during a protest by Hezbollah and Amal who demanded Bitar’s dismissal.