BEIRUT – The Lebanese investigation into the devastating blast here last year has been suspended after an ex-minister wanted for questioning complained about the lead judge’s impartiality.
Judicial sources said Tarek Bitar would stop the probe until a court had ruled on Nohad Machnouk’s case.
Judge Bitar has been struggling to get high-profile witnesses to testify.
His predecessor was removed on similar grounds in February after he accused former ministers of negligence.
The massive explosion at Beirut’s port on Aug. 4, 2020, killed at least 218 people, wounded 7,000 others, and devastated swathes of the city.(BBC)
