Latest news with #StateSecurity
Al Arabiya
7 days ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
North Korea's state security minister to attend high-level meeting in Russia, KCNA says
North Korea's minister of state security, Ri Chang Dae, left Pyongyang on Monday to attend a meeting of senior security officials in Russia, the North's KCNA state news agency reported on Tuesday.
LBCI
08-05-2025
- LBCI
Lebanon's state takes action: Illegal kiosks at Beirut Port removed after 11 years of violations
Report by Ghida Fayad, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi An abnormal scene persisted for 11 years at Gate 14 of the Beirut Port, where 250 random kiosks illegally occupied public property, tampered with water lines, and stole electricity from the port's grid to resell it illicitly. The area became a hub for banned substances, drug activity, prostitution networks, and frequent clashes—effectively, a security hotspot at one of the main entrances to the port. However, that chapter is now closed. With the start of a new political term, authorities have lifted the protection long enjoyed by those behind the violations, regardless of their political or sectarian affiliations. Why were these kiosks installed? Initially installed as offices for freight companies, customs clearance agents, and cafés, the kiosks were set up randomly with no licenses or official contracts. They operated without ever paying rent to the state, enabled by staff from the port's previous administration who allegedly accepted illegal payments for their personal gain. After years of inaction, the General Directorate of State Security finally intervened. The agency dismantled all 250 illegal kiosks following a detailed report by Major Joseph Al-Naddaf, head of the State Security office at the port. The report documented the scale of the violations and was submitted to the competent judiciary and the Financial Public Prosecution, in coordination with the port administration. This cleanup is expected to generate over $200,000 annually for the state treasury by regulating the use of the area. Sixty legally contracted kiosks will be relocated to a designated area away from the port's main entrance, allowing for organized and lawful operation. Dismantling this long-standing hub of violations marks a significant step in reclaiming public property. Will this matter extend to illegal occupations along Lebanon's coastal, river, and communal lands?
Ya Libnan
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Former PM Diab interrogated by Judge Bitar over 2020 Beirut Port explosion
Photo: Judge Tarek Bitar was appointed lead investigator into the Beirut Port blast ( background ) after the removal of his predecessor Judge Fadi Sawwan in February, 2021 . The background of Bitar's picture shows the huge silos of Beirut Port that exploded on Aug 4 , 2020, which killed over 220 people , injured about 7000 and left 300, 000 homeless after 2,750 Tons of Ammonium Nitrate Exploded . They were stored there for nearly 7 years. , reportedly for use by the Syrian regime in its barrel bombs against the civilians in Syria. Former President Michel Aoun and former PM Hassan Diab were informed about the explosive chemical 2 weeks before the explosion. but did nothing about it . Hezbollah and its allies successfully blocked the investigation and campaigned for months to get the courageous judge fired from his position like they did to his predecessor . The Lebanese government , the presidency and the parliament leadership were all at the time controlled by Hezbollah Beirut -Former PM Hassan Diab, an ally of the Iranian backed Hezbollah militant group appeared Friday before Judge Tarek Bitar for interrogation in the case of the August 2020 catastrophic blast at Beirut's port. File: Former PM Hassan Diab left and Hezbollah' slain leader Hassan Nasrallah Diab , who is not currently living in Lebanon was reportedly advised by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan, upon his arrival in Beirut to appear before Judge Bitar in order not to be accused of obstructing his investigation. This comes after former General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim and former State Security chief Tony Saliba were interrogated by Bitar earlier this month. The August 4, 2020 explosion killed more than 220 people, injured some 7000 , left 300, 000 homeless and devastated swathes of Lebanon's capital. Abbas Ibrahim was the first official to admit that the explosion was caused by the chemical that was stored there for nearly 7 years Authorities said the explosion was triggered by a fire in a warehouse where a the huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate had been stored illegally . Diab and former president Michel Aoun were officially informed about the presence of the ammonium nitrate 2 weeks before the explosion but didn't do anything about it Nobody has been held accountable for the blast, one of history's largest non-nuclear explosions ever. Bitar, who took up the case more than four years ago, resumed his investigation in January after a two-year pause Both Ibrahim and Saliba initially refused to appear before Bitar , claiming immunity. Both are known for their strong support for Hezbollah. Hezbollah has been obstructing Bitar's investigation for years accusing him of bias and demanded his dismissal, after he accused several of its ally of involvement in the blast . Bitar resumed the investigation after the war weakened Hezbollah and its influence in the country. The war devastated Hezbollah militarily and left its strongholds in south Lebanon in ruins As the power balance shifted, Lebanon parliament in January elected former army chief Joseph Aoun as president and former International Court of Justice judge Nawaf Salam as prime minister, after a more than two-year leadership vacuum. Both have vowed to uphold the independence of the judiciary and prevent interference in its work, in a country plagued by impunity. Iran which reportedly shipped the ammonium nitrate to Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2013 for use by its ally Syrian president Bashar al Assad in its barrel bombs against the Syrian civilians experienced a similar explosion on Sunday at its largest port in Bandar Abbas in which dozens were killed and hundreds were wounded when different types of chemicals exploded The Associated Press cited British security firm Ambrey as saying the port received in March sodium perchlorate, which is used to propel ballistic missiles and whose mishandling could have led to the explosion.
Arab News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Former Lebanese PM Diab questioned over Beirut port blast
BEIRUT: Former Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab appeared before Judge Tarek Bitar on Friday for questioning related to the devastating Beirut port explosion of Aug. 4, 2020. Diab was interrogated for two and a half hours before being remanded for further questions. The session came a week after Bitar questioned former Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk. In recent weeks, former General Security Chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim and former Head of State Security Maj. Gen. Tony Saliba also appeared before the judge. The explosion devastated the capital's waterfront, resulted in thousands of casualties, and has been compared in scale to a nuclear bomb. It prompted widespread outrage both at home and abroad due to the long-term neglect in safely storing large quantities of ammonium nitrate at the port. Diab, who was prime minister at the time of the explosion, had previously failed to attend hearings into the disaster for various reasons, notably claiming that 'the investigative judge lacked jurisdiction to question' him, or stating that he was abroad. For more than 18 months, several individuals contested their summons, arguing that Bitar was not the appropriate authority to investigate them. They also initiated lawsuits against Bitar, whose work was suspended for a significant period due to political pressures and legal challenges. During their unexpected appearances before the investigative judge, these individuals all expressed their intention to cooperate. In Lebanon, political and judicial powers are intertwined, contrary to the constitution's separation of powers principle. The judiciary is mostly subject to political pressure, starting with judicial appointments, as with other institutions and administrations, which hinders reform efforts and the full independence of the judiciary. A ministerial source told Arab News that President Joseph Aoun had always stressed two key pillars essential for the state's recovery are security and the judiciary. 'The security appointments have been finalized, and measures are in place to restore security. 'The minister of justice and the High Judicial Council are actively working on judicial appointments to restore processes free from political interference and corruption. 'These procedures have started to affect the justice system, and everyone has begun to understand that the authority of the judiciary is not negotiable; the previously accepted method is no longer valid.' The source emphasized that gaining political support for the judiciary is essential to shield it from interference. This should be prioritized, particularly in light of the president's commitment to maintaining judicial independence. Additionally, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is dedicated to implementing the ministerial statement that received unanimous support through the vote of confidence in his government, said the source. Political authorities are still debating the law on judicial independence, but it remains unapproved and is currently stalled in joint parliamentary committees. Aoun has previously stressed his belief in the judiciary as a cornerstone of reform. In a recent meeting with the Bar Association, he noted that the challenge is not the coubtry's laws themselves, but their implementation and accountability for violations. 'Too often, laws are interpreted for personal gain and interests. By working together, individuals committed to justice and accountability can address imbalances, fight corruption, and promote responsibility,' he said. 'Only the judiciary has the authority to deter offenders and corruption,' the president added. Currently, the High Judicial Council is investigating bribery cases involving several judges and has issued a preliminary arrest warrant for one of them, who was arrested and transferred to the prison run by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces. The council recently set up three bodies to investigate cases against judges. Lawyer Ghida Frangieh — who represents victims of the Beirut port explosion — told Arab News that the 'renewed cooperation between the Public Prosecution and investigative Judge Bitar is a crucial development. 'It will help revive the port explosion case and allow the investigation to continue until an indictment is issued and, ultimately, a trial takes place,' Frangieh said. 'The election of the republic's president, setting up a functional government instead of a caretaker government, and the political will for reform would collectively help reactivate Lebanon's judicial system. 'This should have been the scenario in the port investigations three years ago, and all pending judicial cases should now be addressed and resolved in due order,' Frangieh added. A French delegation is set to arrive in Beirut next Monday, following the transfer of judicial summons from the Public Prosecution at the Court of Cassation in Lebanon to France. Bitar has requested access to French investigations regarding the port explosion, and the French judiciary has expressed willingness to support the judge by providing all necessary files and documents for his investigation. Several French nationals were among those killed and injured in the Beirut port explosion.
Ya Biladi
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
After royal pardon in Morocco, terror convict Abdelkader Belliraj receives Belgian passport
Weeks after walking free from a Moroccan prison following a royal pardon granted on Eid al-Fitr, terrorism convict Abdelkader Belliraj has received a Belgian passport, Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden confirmed on Tuesday. The 67-year-old, who holds both Moroccan and Belgian nationalities, was sentenced to life in prison in 2010. After his release, he contacted the Belgian embassy in Rabat, which issued him a passport. «The man has Belgian nationality and also has family in our country», Minister Verlinden told the Justice Committee, responding to a question from Vlaams Belang MP Alexander Van Hoecke. While it remains unclear whether Belliraj intends to return to Belgium, Verlinden assured the committee that «the relevant security services, including State Security, are well aware of the risk and are assessing the measures and actions that can be taken in the event of a return». She added that the matter «will be discussed with our Moroccan partners if necessary», emphasizing that the royal pardon was a sovereign decision by Morocco. «There are clear signals that Belliraj plans to return soon», Van Hoecke warned. «This is a man sentenced to life for terrorism and suspected of political assassinations. For the victims, this pardon sends a very strange signal». At the time of his release, alongside 33 terrorism and extremism-convicted detainees, Morocco's Ministry of Justice stated that these individuals had expressed their commitment to the «fundamental principles and sacred values of the Nation and national institutions», officially renouncing extremism and terrorism. The Belliraj case first drew public attention in 2008, when then-Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa announced the dismantling of what he called «one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations recently neutralized». Thirty-five men were arrested. belliraj's sentence was later reduced to 25 years in 2022.
