Lebanon Speeds Up Measures to Create ‘National Anti-Corruption Commission’

Lebanese Parliament (NNA)
Lebanese Parliament (NNA)
TT
20

Lebanon Speeds Up Measures to Create ‘National Anti-Corruption Commission’

Lebanese Parliament (NNA)
Lebanese Parliament (NNA)

The Lebanese Parliament is expected to give the green light to the creation of a National Anti-Corruption Commission after it was approved by both the Finance and Budget, and Administration and Justice Committees.

MP George Adwan, head of the Administration and Justice Committee said the Commission would play “a pivotal role in the fight against corruption.”

Last month, Lebanon launched a crackdown on corruption, leading to the arrest of dozens of people in ministries and official departments.

Several parliamentary blocs that contributed to drafting the law for the creation of the Commission underlined its role in regulating the progression of work in state institutions.

Member of the Strong Republic bloc MP George Okeiss told Asharq Al-Awsat on Friday that the Commission shall receive declarations of funds of high-ranking public officials and publish reports on corruption in Lebanon.

“The Commission has the power to prosecute those engaged in corruption offenses, and it has the right to impose travel bans and lift bank secrecy in cases where corruption is detected,” the lawmaker said.

It would comprise ten members, including two retired honorary judges with high competence and experience, financial and administrative experts, in addition to figures from the civil society.

The Commission is an independent body that does not operate under the tutelage of the government or Parliament.

Legal experts possess different opinions regarding the role such Commission could play in fighting corruption.

Former Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi said the Commission does not possess the judicial authority to prosecute criminals but could help transfer corruption files to the Public Prosecution.

“It also constitutes a link between citizens and the judiciary,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Qortbawi said the Commission has a positive and a negative effect. “It gives rise to bureaucracy in public institutions and it, therefore, delays judicial measures against criminals. However, the Commission increases the number of monitoring bodies in a country where corruption has become a way of life.”



Palestinian Authority Says Internet Down in Gaza After Attack on Fibre Optic Cable

Palestinians charge their mobile phones from a point powered by solar panels provided by Adel Shaheen, an owner of an electric appliances shop, as electricity remains cut during the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed
Palestinians charge their mobile phones from a point powered by solar panels provided by Adel Shaheen, an owner of an electric appliances shop, as electricity remains cut during the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed
TT
20

Palestinian Authority Says Internet Down in Gaza After Attack on Fibre Optic Cable

Palestinians charge their mobile phones from a point powered by solar panels provided by Adel Shaheen, an owner of an electric appliances shop, as electricity remains cut during the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed
Palestinians charge their mobile phones from a point powered by solar panels provided by Adel Shaheen, an owner of an electric appliances shop, as electricity remains cut during the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed

The Palestinian Authority said internet and fixed-line communication services were down in Gaza on Thursday following an attack on the territory's last fibre optic cable it blamed on Israel.

"All internet and fixed-line communication services in the Gaza Strip have been cut following the targeting of the last remaining main fibre optic line in Gaza," the PA's telecommunications ministry said in a statement, accusing Israel of attempting to cut Gaza off from the world, AFP reported.

"The southern and central Gaza Strip have now joined Gaza City and the northern part of the Strip in experiencing complete isolation for the second consecutive day," the ministry said in a statement.

It added that its maintenance and repair teams had been unable to safely access the sites where damage occurred to the fibre optic cable.

"The Israeli occupation continues to prevent technical teams from repairing the cables that were cut yesterday", it said, adding that Israeli authorities had prevented repairs to other telecommunication lines in Gaza "for weeks and months".

The Palestinian Red Crescent said the communication lines were "directly targeted by occupation forces".

It said the internet outage was hindering its emergency services by impeding communication with first responder teams in the field.

"The emergency operations room is also struggling to coordinate with other organisations to respond to humanitarian cases."

Maysa Monayer, spokeswoman for the Palestinian communication ministry, told AFP that "mobile calls are still available with very limited capacity" in Gaza for the time being.

Now in its 21st month, the war in Gaza has caused massive damage to infrastructure across the Palestinian territory, including water mains, power lines and roads.