Tense session: Lebanese Parliament passes key loan agreements and military grants
Lebanon's Parliament resumed its legislative session on Tuesday under strained conditions after failing to secure quorum the previous evening.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri opened the session at 11:50 a.m. with only 63 lawmakers present, falling short of the required threshold for voting. It took an additional 15 minutes and direct calls from Berri's aides to MPs before the necessary quorum was secured.
The main blocs boycotting the session included members of the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb Party, parts of the Change and Renewal Blocs, segments of the Moderation Bloc, and several independent MPs.
Despite the political divisions, Parliament proceeded to approve several critical measures.
Following Monday's approval of a $250 million World Bank loan to support Lebanon's struggling energy sector, lawmakers on Tuesday ratified a second World Bank loan agreement worth $200 million aimed at economic recovery.
Domestically, the session saw Parliament endorse monthly grants of LBP 14 million for active military personnel and LBP 12 million for military retirees.
Finance Minister Yassine Jaber pledged to study the feasibility of extending similar grants to retired civil servants, diplomats, and public school teachers. Sources estimate the total cost of the new grants for military personnel, retirees, judges, and university support funds at around LBP 19 trillion.
Parliament also discussed the ongoing push for fair salary adjustments across the public sector.
The debate over electoral law amendments resurfaced during the session, particularly concerning whether Lebanese expatriates should vote within their original electoral districts.
MP Ali Fayad argued that some political factions are using the expatriate vote as a tool to invite foreign pressure on internal Lebanese affairs.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab criticized lawmakers who boycotted the session.
Among the other significant pieces of legislation passed was a law granting municipalities greater authority to increase service fees, enabling them to fund development projects and operations better.
The issue of parliamentary quorum is expected to persist in future sessions if the opposition maintains its boycott strategy.
However, indications suggest they may be exploring alternative avenues to achieve their political objectives.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
4 hours ago
- LBCI
Putin to Macron: Iran has 'right' to develop 'peaceful' nuclear program: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in a phone call Tuesday that Moscow's ally Iran has a "right" to develop a peaceful nuclear program, the Kremlin said. Putin emphasized "the lawful right of Tehran in developing a peaceful nuclear (program)," according to the Kremlin transcript of the call. It said both presidents agreed that the conflict over Iran's nuclear program and other Middle Eastern conflicts should be solved "exclusively" by diplomatic means and that the two leaders would "continue contacts" on this. AFP
LBCI
4 hours ago
- LBCI
Inside Israeli-Syrian normalization talks: What does a peace agreement offer both sides?
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Israeli aspirations for a comprehensive peace agreement with Syria have diminished, with sources involved in ongoing contacts between Tel Aviv and Damascus ruling out any consensus on the future of the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights. Israel continues to insist that any peace deal must include Syria's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which Tel Aviv views as a strategic asset. However, Syria remains firm in rejecting any agreement without a complete Israeli withdrawal from the territory. With this fundamental dispute unresolved, the nature of negotiations has shifted from the prospect of a formal peace agreement to talks focused on reaching a security arrangement with the knowledge and involvement of the United States. According to the preliminary framework under discussion, new security measures would be implemented along the Syrian-Israeli border, effectively updating the 1974 disengagement agreement between the two sides. The plan includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas occupied after the fall of the Assad regime in exchange for guarantees from Damascus to crack down on groups Israel labels as terrorist organizations. The first stage of these measures, as reported by Israeli officials, involves the removal of approximately 3,000 Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives from the Syrian capital. The proposed agreement also outlines intelligence and security coordination between Syria and Israel as part of a joint plan aimed at preventing Hezbollah and Iran from reestablishing military footholds in Syria, which Israel views as a threat to regional stability. Notably, the agreement includes Israeli recognition of the Shebaa Farms as Syrian territory, a move expected to provoke strong opposition from Hezbollah. Beyond security, the proposal extends to economic cooperation, including discussions on the potential export of Israeli natural gas to Syria and coordination with Jordan on managing water resources in the Yarmouk River Basin. Furthermore, there is consideration of transforming Mount Hermon, known as Jabal Al-Sheikh, into a joint ski resort bridging the Israeli-occupied and Syrian-controlled sections of the Golan. However, the agreement faces significant resistance, especially given its lack of provisions for a demilitarized zone or strict controls over the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington next Monday, negotiations are expected to intensify in an effort to finalize a draft agreement. Israeli sources indicate that Netanyahu hopes to announce the deal alongside Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, possibly in front of the White House or at the United Nations, in what he believes would be a historic achievement capable of overshadowing his political setbacks, particularly the October 7 incidents.
LBCI
4 hours ago
- LBCI
Israeli army says intercepting missile launched from Yemen
The Israeli army said on Tuesday it had identified the launch of a missile from Yemen towards Israeli territory and that aerial defense systems were operating to intercept the threat. Sirens sounded in several areas of Israel following the launch, the army said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. Reuters
