Latest news with #EliasBouSaab
LBCI
5 hours ago
- Politics
- LBCI
MP Elias Bou Saab says lifting of immunity is a positive step, denies politicization of telecom case
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.'
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Speaker Berri convenes joint parliamentary meeting to address lifting immunity from MP Bouchikian and launch telecom probe
Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri chaired a joint meeting on Monday in Ain al-Tineh between the Parliament Bureau and the Parliamentary Administration and Justice Committee. Following the meeting, Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab announced that the session, called for by Speaker Berri, was held to review a request submitted to Parliament regarding the lifting of immunity from MP George Bouchikian. He stated that at the beginning of the session, discussions also addressed a related matter that had been previously addressed by the same joint committee, nearly two years ago—specifically, the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee into the Telecommunications Ministry. Bou Saab revealed that both cases were deemed similar, and a plenary session was scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, at 11:00 a.m. to deliberate on both items. Speaker Berri reportedly emphasized the urgency of moving forward with these matters, noting that the delay over the past two years was mainly due to the exceptional political conditions at the time, including the absence of a president and a non-functioning legislature. Bou Saab explained that the first case involves establishing a parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate the Ministry of Telecommunications. The second concerns the request to lift immunity from MP Bouchikian. 'It will be up to the general assembly to make the final decision on both,' he said. He stressed that no accusations were being made and that the committee's role was purely procedural. 'We are not accusing anyone. The report submitted was purely technical, focusing on how to apply parliamentary rules and the law without any external pressure,' he said. 'The investigation must determine whether the issue is related to the MP's role as a legislator, in which case immunity applies, or whether it pertains to actions taken in a ministerial capacity, in which case the judiciary would decide how to proceed.' Bou Saab reiterated the presumption of innocence, stating, 'Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. The procedure is clear: the request will be presented to the general assembly, and if the body decides to form an inquiry committee, it will vote to appoint its members.' Regarding the telecom case, he said the three former telecommunications ministers involved—Nicolas Sehnaoui, Boutros Harb, and Jamal Jarrah—had been notified of the matter over two years ago and had the right to attend the session or send legal representatives to present their defense. As for Bouchikian, the same process applies. 'He, too, has the right to defend himself and present his version of events,' Bou Saab said. He added that if the assembly approves the formation of the inquiry committee, its work will be conducted confidentially until its findings are finalized. When asked about rumors of Bouchikian's travel abroad, Bou Saab said, 'I will not comment on media reports. We have no official information about his whereabouts. What's important is that we took the step of referring the matter to the general assembly, which will vote on whether to lift his immunity. The vote will be secret, but the result will be made public.'
Roya News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Hezbollah disarmament dominates Lebanese Parliament amidst 'Israeli' strikes
The Lebanese Parliament convened a general session today, Tuesday, July 15, to discuss the government's policies, with the contentious issue of Hezbollah's weaponry dominating proceedings. The session saw renewed and sharp calls for the state to exclusively control all arms in Lebanon. This parliamentary debate, the first of its kind in a long time, according to Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab, occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions. During the session, 'Israeli' aircraft conducted low-altitude overflights, including over Beirut, later on, intense 'Israeli' airstrikes targeted the eastern and western Lebanese mountain ranges. These strikes reportedly resulted in at least 12 fatalities, including Syrian and Lebanese nationals, and 7 injuries. Calls for state monopoly on arms During the morning session, the Lebanese Forces party prominently called on the government to establish a clear timetable for Hezbollah's disarmament. MP Georges Adwan stated, "This is the government's last chance and there's a need to move quickly. The government must hold the decisions on war and peace." This position was supported by MP Pierre Bou Assi, who added, "Everything must begin with strengthening sovereignty. 'Israel' will not withdraw from southern Lebanon before Hezbollah's weapons are withdrawn." Other lawmakers, including independent MP Michel Moawad, also pressed the government on its plan and timetable for resolving the arms issue. MP Yassine Yassine emphasized that the "arms monopoly is not a slogan but a constitutional and political rule without which the state and the presidency will not be able to recover." Despite the Lebanese constitution stipulating the exclusivity of weapons in the hands of the state, implementing this principle remains a major point of political division. Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab acknowledged the session would likely feature "contradictory statements from all sides, as well as calls for a monopoly on arms and for reconstruction." He also questioned the government's commitment to the Taif Agreement's national accord document, which calls for liberating Lebanese territories from Israeli Occupation. US roadmap, e scalating tensions The parliamentary discussions coincided with Lebanon's review of Washington's response to proposals from US envoy Thomas Barrack. Barrack's "roadmap" for peace in the region includes a demand for a timeline for Hezbollah's disarmament and other armed factions, with a clear implementation mechanism to be set by the Lebanese government. Sources indicate that the US has given Lebanon until the end of the current year to resolve the Hezbollah weapons issue. Hezbollah's stance remains firm, with its chief Naim Qassem stating that the group would not disarm until 'Israel' ends its aggression and withdraws from southern Lebanon. He previously asserted that Hezbollah's weapons would not be on the negotiating table unless 'Israel' "withdraws from the occupied territories, stops its aggression, releases the prisoners, and reconstruction begins." MPs in the session also urged the government to take a firm stance against the ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire. 'Israeli' Defence Minister Israel Katz, on Tuesday, stated that 'Israeli' military strikes underway in Lebanon send a "clear message" to Hezbollah, accusing the group of plotting to rebuild its forces. Crossroads for Lebanon The parliamentary session underscores the sensitive political crossroads facing Lebanon. The domestic push for disarming militias, particularly Hezbollah, intertwines with ongoing calls for a complete 'Israeli' withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories.
LBCI
15-07-2025
- Business
- LBCI
Parliament session opens with key MPs' remarks on government performance: Major statements
Lebanon's Parliament held a session Tuesday to question the government over its policy choices. Lawmakers pressed for clarity on major national issues and assessed the government's handling of urgent political, economic, and security challenges. Lebanese MP Elias Bou Saab said that Tuesday's parliamentary session marks the first time such a wide-ranging policy discussion is being held, warning that it will likely feature political grandstanding, opposing rhetoric, and calls for disarmament and reconstruction. 'We must also start by holding ourselves accountable as MPs,' he added. Bou Saab questioned the government's commitment to the Lebanese National Pact and asked what steps it has taken to liberate Lebanese territories still under Israeli occupation. MP Georges Adwan, in turn, reminded the government that during the confidence vote session, he warned that if the first cabinet meeting failed to set a timeline to impose state authority and collect weapons, efforts to discuss reform and international relations would be futile. 'Months have passed, and nothing has changed,' he said. He criticized the government for delaying the submission of the financial balance plan, saying that without it, reforms cannot proceed, depositors' funds cannot be recovered, and appointments remain informal as they are made outside the government framework. 'Time is running out. We now demand that your government, in its first session, set a clear timeline to restore state control,' Adwan said. Other MPs also voiced criticism. MP Salim Aoun questioned the absence of a clear government plan five months after it took office. 'What is the government's plan? The signs so far are negative, and it's clear there's no intention to produce one,' he said. He challenged the government's seriousness, accusing it of deliberately avoiding defining the financial gap and refusing to find a solution for depositors' trapped funds. He reminded lawmakers that the government had promised in its ministerial statement to prioritize depositors' rights. 'But how can we talk about protecting their rights when the funds are gone, and there's no plan in place to recover them?' he added. MP Abdul Rahman Bizri also addressed the chamber, stressing that one of the government's main responsibilities is to defend Lebanon and preserve national unity. 'Yet we are living through internal division amid an Israeli assault and occupation, under the watch of the international community,' he stated. Meanwhile, MP Jamil Al Sayyed demanded a clear answer from Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on why the appointment mechanism has not been implemented. 'The principle of political quotas is still in place, just as it was before,' he declared. In turn, MP Farid Boustany criticized the government for reaching its 150th day in office without presenting a clear economic plan, calling it 'a misstep' from an administration that came to power on promises of reform, recovery, and the rejection of short-term fixes. 'As we head toward the 2026 budget, what is the government waiting for to unify the exchange rate?' Boustany asked, pressing for urgent fiscal action. He emphasized that security and economic efforts must move forward in parallel, warning against treating them as separate tracks. Boustany also called for prioritizing the return of stolen funds to Lebanese expatriates before addressing their representation through a new electoral law. Speaking during the session, MP Bilal Abdallah said sovereignty should not be defined solely by defense and borders but by the dignity and wellbeing of citizens. 'For me, sovereignty means ensuring people's health and educational security, not just from a military standpoint,' he expressed. Abdallah urged the government to take bolder action to safeguard the population, warning that some patients in Lebanon are dying at home due to the lack of medication, while others can no longer afford treatment. MP Michel Moawad said Tuesday that the current government stands in sharp contrast to previous cabinets in terms of its composition, policy statement, and actions. 'At the very least, we see a government that seeks to defend the state project—not conspire against it or dominate it,' he said. 'It does not protect the weapons system, nor is it part of the corruption network.' Moawad warned that Lebanon is at a crossroads, facing a 'historic opportunity' to rebuild the nation. Failure to act, he said, could turn the country into the 'Cuba of the East.' He outlined four key pillars for recovery: addressing the issue of arms and military groups operating outside state authority through a clear and practical plan, restructuring the banking sector, reforming the public sector, and integrating the Lebanese diaspora into the country's economic revival. MP Fouad Makhzoumi called on the government to bring negotiations with the United States to the Cabinet table and to present the file to Parliament for oversight. He urged the government to turn its ministerial statement and the president's inaugural address into real action, stressing the need to dismantle all illegal security and military structures and end the chaos of uncontrolled weapons. 'Security must be imposed with an iron fist,' he said. Meanwhile, MP Gebran Bassil criticized the government's lack of transparency, revealing that since March, lawmakers had submitted 10 questions to the Cabinet—only one of which received a response. 'And frankly, we wish they hadn't even answered that one." He added that his bloc supports dialogue over the issue of weapons outside state control, but stressed the need for a serious and structured process. 'We are in favor of handing over weapons—not forcibly seizing them,' he said during the parliamentary session. Bassil added that his bloc would remain a 'constructive opposition,' but warned they will raise their voices more forcefully. MP Cesar Abi Khalil criticized the government for adopting a budget prepared by the previous cabinet, saying it contradicts its reform promises. 'From day one, this government chose to carry forward a budget it did not draft—despite claiming it came to fix what came before,' he said. 'The budget is the first tool of public service, and recycling the same one undermines any claim of reform.' MP Ziad Hawat said the state's revival is the key to solving Lebanon's crises. 'Today is a decisive moment, but some still deny reality,' he expressed. 'To confront the dangers Lebanon is facing, we need the state to function and make a bold national decision.' Meanwhile, MP Kassem Hachem voiced frustration that the session did not begin with a condemnation of the ongoing Israeli aggression. 'We had hoped today's session would open with a firm stance against the repeated attacks Lebanon continues to face from the enemy." On another note, MP Ibrahim Moussawi said there is no political will to support the Lebanese Army, blaming a foreign veto for preventing its armament. 'Those who call themselves friends of Lebanon should provide the army with defensive weapons to protect the country,' he added. MP Ibrahim Kanaan questioned the government's handling of key diplomatic files, asking, 'Where do we stand in negotiations with the Syrian government and the international community?' Speaking during the parliamentary session, Kanaan said Lebanon is in a critical moment and must be fully informed. 'We need to know the details of the U.S. proposal, Lebanon's response, and the reaction to it. This isn't just a matter for the government—it concerns the Parliament and the entire country.' MP Adib Abdel Massih described the country's social situation as "deteriorating and dire," stressing the urgent need for an emergency plan. "This government is not doing its job," he said in a statement on Monday, criticizing its inaction amid growing instability. Abdel Massih also raised concerns about threats he received after calling for the exclusive control of weapons by the state. "I ask the Ministries of Interior and Justice: someone publicly threatened our lives just because we demanded that arms be restricted to state control," he said. He added that disarmament should not be limited to the south but should be enforced equally across all Lebanese regions. For his part, MP Yassine Yassine echoed the concerns, highlighting dangerous irregularities in a recent report by the Court of Audit. He called for a "serious and transparent investigation." Yassine emphasized that the principle of exclusive state control over weapons is not merely a political slogan but a constitutional requirement. "There can be no functioning state without it," he said, adding that the presidency and the ministerial statement both committed to it. He concluded by pressing the government for clarity: "What is the actual plan to ensure the monopoly of arms by the state? Is there a timeline? Are any concrete steps being taken?" MP Ibrahim Mneimneh said the performance of individual ministers has been generally good but criticized the government as a whole for failing to assert itself as the country's decision-making center. "We haven't seen a strong cabinet capable of leading," he said. Mneimneh pointed to a persistent gap between promises and execution. "We're witnessing stagnation, likely due to the return of old political practices and the absence of functional institutions," he warned, adding that responsibility lies not only with the government but also with actors outside it. He reiterated the call for a clear, time-bound plan to place all weapons under state control. "We want quick results, but so far, we've seen incomplete steps—starting with appointments and extending to issues like salaries," he said. On the sensitive matter of Lebanon's gold reserves, Mneimneh emphasized that they should remain untouched. "There must be accountability first for those who caused the financial crisis," he said.
MTV Lebanon
15-07-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Bou Saab urges constructive dialogue, questions government commitment to liberation clause
From the floor of Parliament, Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab noted that the current general policy debate marked a rare moment of institutional dialogue in years, warning that 'the deep divisions in the country will lead nowhere.' Bou Saab further questioned the government's commitment to a key clause in the Taif Accord, asking: 'The government has pledged, according to the National Reconciliation Document adopted in Taif, to take all necessary measures to liberate all occupied territories from Israeli control. How exactly has the government fulfilled this commitment?' On judicial reform, Bou Saab called for the swift adoption of a draft law currently under review by the Administration and Justice Committee, saying, 'Reforming the judiciary is the cornerstone of restoring the state.' Addressing Education Minister Rima Karami he added: 'God help you — we've had an exceptional year. I urge you to take that into account when overseeing the correction of official exam results.'
