The FPM has criticized the “discretionary nature” of the investigation into the 2020 Beirut port blast

BEIRUT — The Free Patriotic Movement on Saturday criticized what it dubbed as the “discretionary” nature of Judge Tarek Bitar’s investigation, stalled numerous times by legal challenges, into the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

Here’s what we know:

    • In a statement following a meeting of its political bureau, the FPM criticized “the delays in completing” the Beirut port explosion probe as well as the “discretion that mars the investigation.”

    • “The time has come for the investigative judge to issue indictments,” the party added.

    • The FPM also reiterated its calls for Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s cabinet to resume its meetings, over two months since the cabinet last convened Oct. 12. Hezbollah and the Amal Movement have called for Bitar’s removal from the probe into the port blast before they would support the government meeting again.