From left to right, the head of Judicial Inspection, Oussama Mneimneh, Justice Minister Adel Nassar, President Joseph Aoun, Judge Souheil Abboud, the President of the Council of State, Youssef Gemayel, in Baabda, July 9, 2026. (Credit: X/@LBPresidency)
BEIRUT — Oussama Mneimneh, the newly appointed head of the Judicial Inspection (JI), was sworn in Thursday before President Joseph Aoun in his capacity as a member of the Higher Judicial Council and of the bureau of the State Council.
Mneimneh succeeds Ayman Oueidate, who has headed the Judicial Inspection since March 2025. His appointment was approved by the Cabinet.
Before taking over the Judicial Inspection, Mneimneh served as president of the 6th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation.
His name had also been mentioned among the judges considered to succeed former Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation Jamal Hajjar. That position was ultimately filled by Ahmad Rami al-Hajj on April 30, 2026, the same day Mneimneh was appointed head of the Judicial Inspection, nearly three months before Oueidate's expected retirement on July 15.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Aoun described the Judicial Inspection as "an essential pillar" in preserving the integrity of the judiciary and strengthening public confidence in the justice system.
The Judicial Inspection oversees the functioning of Lebanon's judiciary and the conduct of judges. It is responsible for monitoring the quality of judicial work and ensuring compliance with disciplinary rules.
The body consists of a president, four general inspectors and six inspectors. It operates under the supervision of the Justice Ministry, and its members are generally appointed from among the country's most experienced judges.
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