President urges judges to ensure institution’s independence
By Elias Sakr
Daily Star staff
BEIRUT: President Michel Sleiman stressed on Thursday that the judiciary was the backbone of Lebanon’s independence and the cornerstone of any democratic regime. During the opening of the 2010 judicial year at the
The deadlock ended with the 2008 Doha Accord, which led to the election of Sleiman and the formation of a national-unity cabinet.
Addressing the need to implement future reforms, Najjar said judicial verdicts should be issued in a timely fashion, adding that authorization must be issued to hold suspects in temporary custody.
“We should also address the issue of holding exceptional trials and verdicts that cannot be appealed, as well as shorten judicial staff members’ holidays to properly implement judicial work,” Najjar said.
Najjar also called for decreasing the period of sentences and transfering the administration of prisons to the Justice Ministry in 2012.
“Lebanon will be facing challenges,” said Najjar, adding that the country’s constitutional institutions must restore balance and effectiveness.
Najjar also praised Sleiman’s stances, adding that his presence along with several state officials at the event “is an act of belief in the Lebanese institutions and their role.”
Justice Palace in Beirut, Sleiman urged judicial authorities to promote accountability and justice in order to protect the society from corruption.
The opening was attended by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar, Interior Minister Ziad Baroud and several other ministers and judges.
The president added that it was the judges’ responsibility to ensure the judiciary institution’s independence through “autonomous and fair practice of their duties.”
He also underlined that he would ensure the independency of the judiciary in accordance with his constitutional prerogatives that hold him responsible for protecting the Constitution and its implementation.
For his part, Najjar stressed that Lebanon’s independent judicial system was regaining its authority, adding that the Justice Ministry was ready to follow up on its most recent efforts which led to the election of the members of two judicial councils in less than a year, the State Shura and Constitutional councils.
The election of members for both councils was delayed until a few weeks before the June 7, 2009 elections following a two-year political deadlock after the withdrawal of Hizbullah and Amal Movement Shiite ministers from the government headed by Premier Fouad Siniora in 2006.
