Scuffles outside as MPs Mull Request to Lift Immunity in Port Case

The families of the port blast victims on Friday scuffled with army troops outside the Ain el-Tineh palace as MPs met inside to study Judge Tarek al-Bitar’s request for lifting the parliamentary immunity of three lawmakers.

At least one woman was injured during several attempts to breach the army’s security cordon.

The relatives carried banners demanding justice and accountability as well as pictures of the victims and of the MPs Ali Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zoaiter -- two former ministers whom Bitar has decided to summon in the probe.

Ex-interior minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, an incumbent MP, has also been mentioned by the judge, in addition to ex-minister Youssef Fenianos.

The families later blocked the Ain el-Tineh road, warning against the “politicization” of the file.