According to the Lebanese media, the desks of prosecutors must be full of corruption and other criminal cases brought against high office holders, former ministers and senior civil servants, who looted the treasury, abused their power and broke the law under the Hrawi-Hariri Regime. But there is no evidence yet that these cases are speedily finding their way into an already overloaded justice system. And most Lebanese are still skeptical that justice will be done, and with good reason.
It is unfortunate but true that most of the prosecutors who are being asked to investigate, and eventually prosecute, the pillars of the ancien regime, and most of the judges who will be trying them once indicted, are themselves appointees and pillars of the same regime. It is also unfortunate but true that the pattern of corruption and law-breaking under the Hrawi-Hariri regime could not have existed without the implicit or explicit support of the judiciary. For most of those prosecutors, investigating magistrates, and judges did not only fail miserably in their duty to prevent, but played an active role in, the blatant lawlessness in every possible way. The famous "Solidere judges" are a case in point.
The strange fact is that the Hrawi-Hariri regime is still alive, strong and well in the judicial system inherited from that regime. It is therefore obvious that the Lahoud-Hoss government cannot use the surviving pillars of the ancien regime against the defunct pillars of the ancien regime.
In order for justice to be done, the prosecutors and judges who were and still are in the service of Messrs. Hrawi, Hariri and company should resign or be promptly removed from office. This move should be immediately followed by further steps to fulfill the urgent and crying need to reform the judiciary and restore its credibility.
Like there was a "sisterly" hand in the appointment of politicians to public office, there certainly was a similar hand in the appointment of some key prosecutors, investigating magistrates, and judges. For example, State Prosecutor Adnan Addoum and Beirut Prosecutor Abdallah Bitar are well known for their close Syrian connection. Such connection has not, so far, presented any impediment to the rolling of big, big heads. Addoum, Bitar and their likes are pillars of the ancien regime. When they are out, too, the Lebanese will begin to believe that serious reform is in progress.