A judge leading the investigation into the massive Beirut port explosion last year has issued a subpoena for Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, state media reported on Thursday.
Mr Diab, along with other ministers, has been charged with criminal negligence.
Judge Tarek Bitar rescheduled Mr Diab’s questioning for September 20 after the departing prime minister snubbed a summons to appear on Thursday before the judge, the National News Agency said.
One year after the blast, it remains unclear what triggered the explosion of hundreds of tonnes of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive chemical that was stored illegally at Beirut port for more than six years with the knowledge of the government and security agencies.
Mr Diab was indicted along with three former ministers, who are also members of parliament, in connection with the blast that killed 214 people and injured thousands. All three have snubbed summons, arguing that the investigative judge had no authority to prosecute them under the constitution.
The latest subpoena drew criticism from three former prime ministers and premier-designate Najib Mikati.
Former premiers Saad Hariri, Fouad Siniora, Tamam Salam and prime minister-designate Najib Mikati issued a statement labeling the subpoena as an 'insult' and attack on the premiership, a post reserved for a Muslim Sunni under Lebanon's confessional power-sharing system.
The four politicians said the move was politicised and in violation of the law, suggesting the president, a Christian, was seeking to undermine the post of prime minister. They also called for the enactment of a law that lifts immunity on all top officials including the president.
Mr Bitar replaced Judge Fadi Sawan who was removed by the supreme court after indicting Mr Diab, along with former ministers Ali Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zeaiter, both members of Speaker Nabih Berri’s parliamentary bloc.
Mr Bitar later also indicted MP and former Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk.
He asked Parliament for permission to question and prosecute the three MPs but his request was met with resistance. He was also denied permission by caretaker Interior Minister Mohamad Fehmi and the Higher Defence Council to question the heads of two security agencies.
The stalled investigation into the explosion has prompted protests by the families of victims who have accused government officials of trying to block the inquiry.
Mr Berri this month convened Parliament to vote on replacing the judicial inquiry into the blast with a parliamentary probe but the session lacked the necessary quorum as politicians came under attack from families of victims.
Mr Berri scheduled the session after a petition by a number of MPs requesting that the accused be tried before a special body that brings together politicians and senior judges.
Legal activists described the move as another attempt to derail the investigation.
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What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The specs: 2018 Honda City
Price, base: From Dh57,000
Engine: 1.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 118hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 146Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
UAE Team Emirates
Valerio Conti (ITA)
Alessandro Covi (ITA)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Fernando Gaviria (COL)
Sebastian Molano (COL)
Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
Diego Ulissi (ITAS)
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Don't get fined
The UAE FTA requires following to be kept:
- Records of all supplies and imports of goods and services
- All tax invoices and tax credit notes
- Alternative documents related to receiving goods or services
- All tax invoices and tax credit notes
- Alternative documents issued
- Records of goods and services that have been disposed of or used for matters not related to business
THE SPECS
Engine: AMG-enhanced 3.0L inline-6 turbo with EQ Boost and electric auxiliary compressor
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 429hp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh360,200 (starting)
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group B
Barcelona v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight
