ANSD : Lebanon: Parliament begins legislative session, 1st since elections

WED 27 - 11 - 2024

Date: Sep 24, 2018
Source: The Daily Star

Lebanon: Parliament begins legislative session, 1st since elections

BEIRUT: Speaker Nabih Berri Monday headed the first day of a two-day parliamentary legislative session, the first for the new Parliament since the May elections.

The morning session began in the presence of Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to discuss the agenda, which includes 29 draft laws and proposals.

Lawmakers from across the political spectrum are expected to ratify a number of significant bills that have already been endorsed by joint parliamentary committees in the past few weeks.

Some proposals include projects related to the CEDRE conference.

The two-day session will be held amid political consensus by the country’s major blocs, reflecting their agreement on the need for Parliament to convene for “legislation of necessity,” even though the Cabinet is still serving in a caretaker capacity. Any bills passed by Parliament need to be endorsed by a functioning government to become effective.

Berri began the session by saying the session was being held based on Article 69 of the Constitution, “which gives us the right to legislate and this isn’t the first time.”

Berri adamant on activating Parliament oversight role

BEIRUT: Speaker Nabih Berri said Parliament will reactivate its supervisory role of the upcoming Cabinet in remarks published Monday.

In an interview with local newspaper Al-Joumhouria, Berri said he was going to give any newly-formed government the necessary time to leap off and test its performance.

“The grace period won’t last long though and I will be in radar for all malfunction in [the Cabinet’s] performance and hence if I find mistakes or negligence in its work, I won’t hesitate in subjecting it to accountability before the Parliament,” the speaker said. “I mean what I say. Those who don’t believe me should try me.”

Berri also expressed optimism over work that the new Parliament will be doing, saying that he sensed that there was more excitement among the lawmakers to be productive. Nevertheless, the speaker blasted the continued delay in the government formation that is yet to see a breakthrough after Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri was tasked with the formation of a new Cabinet.

“The formation is being delayed as a result of polarization over shares instead of people’s needs acting as a motivation for a quick formation,” Berri said.

Protesters call solid waste management law 'catastrophic'

BEIRUT: Opponents of the solid waste management law staged a protest Monday outside Nijmeh Square, calling the legislation "catastrophic."

MP Osama Saad said he stood in solidarity with the protestors who demanded that the law be reviewed, adding that the law has multiple loopholes. According to legislation, the national authority for waste management will not be subject to the state’s oversight framework.

MP Paula Yacoubian also expressed her opposition to the law, saying it would be a catastrophe if it passed. “This law does not protect our health or our environment,” she said.

Yacoubian also said that studies show Lebanon has the highest rates of cancer in the region. “[The pollution] is a result of neglect and mismanagement,” she added.

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