BEIRUT: Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi said Wednesday that the judiciary must be independent to allow for the emergence of a state based on the rule of law.

“Rule of law cannot be achieved if the judiciary is not completely independent,” Qortbawi said during a visit to Beirut’s Justice Palace to attend a ceremony in honor of new judges.

In a speech to the newly sworn-in judges, Qortbawi said that being a judge in a country like Lebanon can be a great challenge.

“You are all joining a difficult mission and as judges your conscience should guide you toward a just ruling,” Qortbawi added.

He said that judges are continuously subject to political pressure but should work to remain immune to it: “It is very important that a judge won’t allow any politician to intervene and influence his ruling in any judicial case.”

He said that the fact that a lot of people know each other in Lebanon and the country’s sectarian system make all judges vulnerable to friendly and political pressure in their rulings.

“But if you sustain your independence, you will improve Lebanon’s image as a state of rule of law,” he said.

High-ranking appointments for Lebanon’s judicial branch have stalled over political and sectarian obstacles in recent months. Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s Cabinet has yet to appoint a new head for the Higher Judicial Council.

However, Qortbawi voiced hope that the judicial branch would see progress weeks after the government voted for a raise in judges’ salaries.

“I hope this will positively affect on the judges’ work,” Qortbawi noted, adding that the justice minister would not intervene in judges’ work.