HUNDREDS gathered outside Beirut’s palace of justice on Wednesday under the banner: “You won’t kill us twice” as they protested against the suspension of a probe into last year’s port explosion.

The crowd was under close surveillance from police as they demanded justice for loved ones, warning of political interference and obstruction after judge Tarek Bitar was forced to suspend the investigation on Monday.

“We have been suffering for 13 months from the interference of politicians and sectarian leaders in the investigation,” Rima al-Zahid, whose brother was killed in the blast, said. 

“When I heard that the investigation was halted, I felt that we were being betrayed again, and that they were killing us a second time,” she added.

Yousra Abu Saleh said the suspension of the investigation “hit us like a storm.”

“We don't want a repeat of what happened with judge Fadi Sawan,” she said, holding a portrait of her son who was killed in the blast. “All we want is justice.”

Parliamentarian Nohad Machnouk filed a complaint questioning Mr Bitar’s impartiality after he summoned in relation to the case.

His predecessor Fadi Sawan was removed by Lebanon’s Court of Cassation in February after he charged former prime minister Hassan Diab and three senior government officials with negligence.

Mr Diab has been accused of fleeing the country, leaving for the US ahead of a scheduled court appearance relating to the case earlier this month.

His spokesman denied the accusation, saying that he was visiting his children and the timing was a coincidence.

At least 218 people were killed in the blast last August and more than 7,000 injured after 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in the port for around six years ignited.

Rumours have persisted that the port was targeted by an Israeli air strike targeting Hezbollah munitions supplies.

Days before the incident then Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the Shi’ite movement had a “secret arms depot” in the southern suburbs of the capital, warning it could cause a tragic explosion.

In an address to the UN general assembly, he highlighted the location on a map, urging the international community to act against Hezbollah.

Both sides have denied that Israel was involved in the explosion, however, with investigations focusing on the culpability of government officials who allegedly failed to act despite knowing the risks involved.