Caretaker justice minister says mistrust in judiciary is warranted but dismisses calls for international investigation.

Beirut, Lebanon - Lebanon's caretaker Justice Minister Marie-Claude Najem says there is ample reason to distrust Lebanon's judiciary, but last week's Beirut explosion is a "chance" for this vital institution to earn public trust by holding those responsible accountable.

"Much of the criticism is warranted due to the slow pace of work and some politicisation, but this case is a chance for the Lebanese judiciary to prove they can do their jobs and win back the confidence of the people," Najem told Al Jazeera.

"When you look at the judiciary's track record in the past with regards to justice in general and all the grave violations the Lebanese people have endured, there's just no trust with something of this magnitude.".

Najem countered: "My starting point is always the Lebanese judiciary because I don't want to create a system where every time there is an important issue I go to the international.

Najem said the investigation had already brought in international experts, notably French police officers and forensic specialists, to investigate the site of the explosion.

The involvement of the French public prosecution was due to the existence of French casualties, she said, giving the investigation an international angle.

But Najem said she was not responsible - her ministry was not concerned with the matter given that there was a case related to the dangerous cargo already in Lebanon's courts.

I want the truth to be told to the Lebanese people and I want the people responsible to pay for it