In a post on the “X” platform, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that he listened with interest to the objections of those protesting the recent appointments made in customs.
Salam expressed his deep understanding of the feelings of concern that have gripped some, especially the families of the martyrs and victims of the Beirut port explosion, stressing that his commitment to reaching the full truth in this matter is an “irreversible” commitment, and that he will not provide protection for anyone at the expense of the rule of law.
In the same context, the Prime Minister affirmed that the “presumption of innocence” is a fundamental basis of justice, explaining that the absence of any judicial ruling against any person gives him the full right to exercise his rights, including appointment to public office.
But Salam added that this “cannot constitute cover for anyone,” demanding that the judiciary take its course with complete independence, so that it can issue appropriate judgments and hold those responsible accountable, regardless of their positions.
The Prime Minister’s statement comes in response to a statement issued by the assembly of families of martyrs, wounded and affected by the Beirut port explosion, in which it expressed its strong condemnation of the Council of Ministers’ decision to appoint Gracia Al-Qazzi as Director General of Customs, noting that she is accused in the port explosion case, and that this appointment falls within the first category under the pretext of “presumption of innocence and the absence of a ruling yet.”
The assembly considered this justification unacceptable morally and nationally, especially since it was not applied to other defendants in the same case, where they were placed at disposal for the same reason, which the assembly considered a double standard. It considered that the appointment represents a direct insult to the blood of the martyrs and the suffering of the wounded and affected, a provocation to the feelings of the victims’ families, and reflects the management of the port file with a logic of settlements and favoritism at the expense of justice and truth. The assembly demanded the immediate cancellation of the appointment and the application of a single standard to all defendants without exception, warning that continuing this approach will lead to the loss of the remaining trust in the state and its institutions, and stressing that “the blood of our martyrs is not a point of view, and justice is not selective.”
