Lebanon's Aoun Says Judiciary Role Essential in Combatting Corruption

Aoun met Tuesday with President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Suhail Abboud, and a number of members of the Council (NNA)
Aoun met Tuesday with President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Suhail Abboud, and a number of members of the Council (NNA)
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Lebanon's Aoun Says Judiciary Role Essential in Combatting Corruption

Aoun met Tuesday with President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Suhail Abboud, and a number of members of the Council (NNA)
Aoun met Tuesday with President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Suhail Abboud, and a number of members of the Council (NNA)

Lebanese President Michel Aoun called Tuesday for activating the work of the judiciary and following up on accusations against officials.

Meanwhile, the Progressive Socialist Party questioned those accusations finally made under the category of "illicit enrichment" and considered that Aoun's era "is a disaster for Lebanon."

On Tuesday, Aoun met with the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Suhail Abboud, and a number of members of the Council to discuss the judicial situation and the work of the courts in Lebanon.

Aoun asserted the need to activate judicial work and expedite the consideration of pending cases before courts.

He called on the judiciary not to be affected by political and media campaigns that target some judges, especially since the judiciary’s role is essential in the fight against corruption and the prosecution of perpetrators.

“The judiciary is the last resort for citizens in search of justice, in order to achieve justice and preserve rights,” the President said.

Aoun’s words came at a time when media reports were published recently about corruption at various official levels, a development that the PSP saw as selective and as a result of pressure on the judiciary. On Tuesday, PSP MP Bilal Abdullah launched an attack on the President and the "Free Patriotic Movement", describing it as "the Orange Movement.”

Recent reports accused PSP-affiliated employees and ministers who headed the Ministry of the Displaced of corruption.

However, Abdullah said those accusations are merely an attempt to undermine his political team and were prepared by secret rooms at the Presidential Palace.

"We have no objection to accountability for any corrupt officials at any sector, including the Ministry of the Displaced,” he said.

The MP added: "We know that this file was a thorny file, a file related to the internal national reconciliation, and surely there were violations. We do not hide this issue, but we will not allow the malicious selectivity practiced by some current and former ministers to undermine the political team we represent, with our respect to the so-called fighting corruption issue.”

Abdullah pointed out that the Illicit Enrichment Law has not appointed a commission yet, asking: “Is it permissible to investigate the file of a person who died ten years ago? This selectivity has been exercised by pressure on the judiciary, and we know the secret room in the Republican Palace, who manages it, and how it selectively approaches."

He stressed that any accused, whether a PSP member or not, who proves to be corrupt, should be imprisoned.

Abdullah called for all files to be opened and hoped for the just judiciary, the Supreme Judicial Council, and the Public Prosecutor to take the issue of corruption properly and accurately.

The department of cases at the Justice Ministry had filed a complaint with the Public Prosecution of the Cassation, against 17 employees of the Ministry of Displaced Persons for the crime of illicit enrichment. It is known that in the past years, the Ministry of the Displaced was mostly headed by a minister affiliated with the PSP.

Also on Tuesday, PSP MP Wael Abu Faour described President Aoun's era as a disaster for Lebanon. Abu Faour said in a television interview, "The objective evaluation of President Aoun's experience says that it was catastrophic for Lebanon and destroyed what was left of the national unity," considering that "Gebran Bassil is the secret of the president of the republic and cannot be separated from him."

He added that Aoun’s presidential era has particularly damaged Lebanon's international relations, saying that no Arab country is willing to back the country.



US-backed Gaza Aid Group to Halt Distribution on Wednesday, UN to Vote on Ceasefire Demand 

Israeli shelling hits an area in the northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Israeli shelling hits an area in the northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
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US-backed Gaza Aid Group to Halt Distribution on Wednesday, UN to Vote on Ceasefire Demand 

Israeli shelling hits an area in the northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Israeli shelling hits an area in the northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will not give out any aid on Wednesday as it presses Israel to boost civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its distribution sites, a day after dozens of Palestinians seeking aid were killed.

The GHF said it has asked the Israeli military to "guide foot traffic in a way that minimizes confusion or escalation risks" near military perimeters; develop clearer guidance for civilians; and enhance training to support civilian safety.

"Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid," said a GHF spokesperson. An Israeli military spokesperson warned civilians against moving in areas leading to GHF sites on Wednesday, deeming them "combat zones".

The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it opened fire on a group of people it viewed as a threat near a GHF food aid distribution site. The International Committee of the Red Cross said at least 27 people were killed and dozens injured. The GHF said the incident was "well beyond" its site.

Palestinians who collected food GHF boxes on Tuesday described scenes of pandemonium, with no-one overseeing the handover of supplies or checking IDs, as crowds jostled for aid.

The UN Security Council is also set to vote on Wednesday on a demand for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas and humanitarian access across Gaza, where aid has trickled amid chaos and bloodshed after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on the enclave where famine looms.

"It is unacceptable. Civilians are risking – and in several instances losing – their lives just trying to get food," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday, adding that the aid distribution model backed by the US and Israel was "all a recipe for disaster, which is exactly what is going on."

That model is run by the newly created GHF, which started operations in the enclave a week ago and said on Tuesday that it has given out more than seven million meals from three so-called secure distribution sites. GHF Interim Executive Director John Acree urged humanitarians in Gaza: "Work with us and we will get your aid delivered to those who are depending on it."

US VETO?

The UN and other aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say it is not neutral and the distribution model militarizes aid. GHF uses private US security and logistics companies to get aid to the distribution sites.

It is the latest in a string of efforts to get more aid into the enclave, where experts say the entire population of some 2.1 million people is at risk of famine. Jordan last year spearheaded humanitarian air drops, while the US briefly installed a floating aid pier, but it was beset by challenges.

The UN has long-blamed Israel and lawlessness in the enclave for hindering the delivery of aid into Gaza and its distribution throughout the war zone. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies.

Israel said on Tuesday that three of its soldiers had been killed in fighting in northern Gaza. Gaza health officials said at least 18 more Palestinians were killed in other military strikes in the territory on Tuesday. Reuters could not independently verify the reports in northern and southern Gaza.

The 10 elected members of the UN Security Council have asked for the 15-member body to vote on Wednesday on a draft resolution that demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties."

The draft text, seen by Reuters, also demands the release of all hostages held by Hamas and others, and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the entry of aid and its safe and unhindered distribution, including by the UN, throughout Gaza.

"The time to act has already passed," Slovenia's UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar told Reuters. "It is our historical responsibility not to remain silent."

As US President Donald Trump's administration tries to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, it was not immediately clear if Washington would veto the draft text. A spokesperson for the US mission to the UN said: "We cannot preview our actions currently under consideration."

A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the permanent members - the United States, Russia, China, Britain or France - to pass.

The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, which do not distinguish between fighters and non-combatants.