The press office of Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday denied claims by al-Akhbar newspaper that he had “secretly asked some sides to coordinate with the families of the port blast victims in order to file new lawsuits against the judicial investigator over his discretion.”

“This news is completely untrue and it comes within the framework of the campaign al-Akhbar has been leading against the Prime Minister,” Mikati’s press office said in a statement.

“The Prime Minister’s announced and unwavering position is to not interfere in the work of the judiciary,” the statement added, stressing that the PM calls for justice and for unveiling the truth in the port case.