logo
MP Elias Bou Saab says lifting of immunity is a positive step, denies politicization of telecom case

MP Elias Bou Saab says lifting of immunity is a positive step, denies politicization of telecom case

LBCI23-07-2025
MP Elias Bou Saab said that 'what happened in today's session is promising,' and that 'no one is considered accused by the Parliament.'
He added, 'There is certainly no politicization in the telecom file, and it didn't emerge under the current term, but rather two and a half years ago. It was referred to the General Assembly, but we were unable to hold a session at the time.'
He continued, 'The General Assembly unanimously decided to lift immunity and affirmed that the work done by the committee was correct.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Electoral law: Ongoing disputes in parliament subcommittee
Electoral law: Ongoing disputes in parliament subcommittee

L'Orient-Le Jour

time2 hours ago

  • L'Orient-Le Jour

Electoral law: Ongoing disputes in parliament subcommittee

BEIRUT — A subcommittee of Lebanon's joint parliamentary committees met Wednesday under the chairmanship of Parliament Vice President Elias Bou Saab to review seven proposed electoral laws, just months ahead of the 2026 legislative deadline. The debates, attended by Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar, Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Rajji, as well as member MPs, did not result in a vote due to "divergences within the committee," MP Saab explained after the meeting. "We have differences of opinion and I was keen that we should not proceed to a vote (...) These differences relate to whether we should limit the debate to amendments to the current law or examine all the laws proposed by MPs," he added, as quoted by the state-run National News Agency (NNA.) The 2017 electoral law, which has never been fully implemented, restricts the diaspora vote in the 2026 legislative elections to just six seats, as opposed to the 128 seats for which resident Lebanese vote. This is causing controversy. The diaspora vote in fact splits the political class into two camps: on one hand, those who want to confine its voters to the six seats, as specified by the 2017 law. The Aounist Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the allied Hezbollah and Amal parties. Meanwhile, around 68 MPs from the Lebanese Forces (LF,) Kataeb, PSP, the Change Bloc, independents, and others want to amend the law. They aim to make permanent a special change used in the 2018 and 2022 elections, which was based on constituencies of origin. Their proposal, submitted on May 9, calls for the pure and simple elimination of the six-seat clause, to allow the diaspora to vote for all 128 MPs according to their constituency of origin. "There are different points of view, and none of the MPs who submitted proposals is ready to withdraw theirs, with everyone insisting that the proposals be discussed," Saab added. "At the same time, it was suggested that priorities be set and submitted to Parliament so that it can decide on the merits of this proposal, or that all the proposals be brought before the General Assembly if disagreement persists, as long as the discussion proceeds calmly and without tensions," continued the subcommittee chair. This meeting was held as the government, at the subcommittee's request, set up a ministerial committee to study any bill the government would send for presentation to the committee. According to Saab, the 2017 electoral law poses "several problems." "The interior and foreign affairs ministers made observations about the current law, particularly concerning the implementation of provisions related to the election of six diaspora MPs, the magnetic card, and the modalities of expenses," he said. On the issue of the magnetic card, the interior minister indicated it would not be possible to put the smart card system in place by the election date. Together with his foreign affairs counterpart, he also decided to consider, within a technical committee, the issue of the six diaspora MPs. "The committee submitted these observations to the prime minister, who will present them to the Council of Ministers. Once the government has adopted an official position on the matter, it will inform us and we will follow up accordingly," emphasized the subcommittee chair. Commenting on the meeting, LF MP Georges Adwan considered that, given the current disputes, it is no longer possible, just a few months ahead of the vote, to study new proposed laws: "We no longer have the luxury of being able to study new laws given the current differences. A roadmap needs to be established to resolve the six seats issue, while stressing the necessity of a vote by non-residents for all 128 MPs," he noted. "Lebanon needs to thoroughly study every aspect of the system after the weapons issue is resolved, in order to reach a new electoral law different from the previous one," he continued, urging people to "move away from politics of axes and aim for citizenship."

PM Salam chairs meeting to address Lebanon's growing traffic crisis
PM Salam chairs meeting to address Lebanon's growing traffic crisis

LBCI

time3 hours ago

  • LBCI

PM Salam chairs meeting to address Lebanon's growing traffic crisis

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam chaired a meeting at the Grand Serail to address the worsening traffic crisis in Beirut and other regions, in the presence of security officials and representatives from the Interior Ministry. The meeting identified key causes of the traffic crisis, such as limited ISF personnel, insufficient equipment and readiness, the absence of a regulated public transport system, persistent problems with the vehicle inspection program, non-functional traffic lights, and ineffective parking meters. Several urgent measures were agreed upon, including: * Enhancing coordination between the Interior and Public Works ministries to rehabilitate road infrastructure ahead of the winter season and school reopening. * Reactivating out-of-service traffic signals at critical intersections in Beirut. * Improving the deployment of traffic officers in the capital and boosting field readiness. * Reviewing and improving the vehicle inspection system to ensure efficiency and transparency. * Launching a gradual plan to expand the effectiveness of public transportation in Beirut and other areas. The meeting falls within the government's efforts to address traffic as one of the pressing daily challenges affecting citizens' lives and safety.

UNESCO Regional Director briefs President Aoun on support for Lebanon
UNESCO Regional Director briefs President Aoun on support for Lebanon

LBCI

time3 hours ago

  • LBCI

UNESCO Regional Director briefs President Aoun on support for Lebanon

The Regional Director of UNESCO in Beirut, Paolo Fontani, briefed President Joseph Aoun on the activities of the regional office and the support UNESCO provides to Lebanon in cultural, media, intellectual, and heritage fields. This support includes securing funding for a number of projects identified by the relevant ministries, particularly the Ministries of Culture and Information. In the presence of Information Minister Paul Morcos, Fontani noted that UNESCO has worked with the Ministry of Information to rehabilitate the archives of Tele Liban and has contributed to other initiatives in the same sector. He also highlighted the organization's efforts to preserve Lebanese heritage and expand cultural centers across various regions in Lebanon. Minister Morcos emphasized the strong cooperation between the ministry and UNESCO across multiple fields, and the support the ministry's institutions have received in several areas. President Aoun welcomed Fontani and wished him success in his mission in Lebanon, expressing gratitude for his attention to the country's needs in the areas under UNESCO's purview.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store