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

Lebanese Parliament (NNA)
Lebanese Parliament (NNA)
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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.”



AFP Appeals for Evacuation of Freelance Staff from Gaza

Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo
Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo
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AFP Appeals for Evacuation of Freelance Staff from Gaza

Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo
Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo

Agence France-Presse called on Israel on Tuesday to allow the immediate evacuation of its freelance contributors and their families from the Gaza Strip, citing worsening living conditions and escalating risks to their safety.

In a statement, the French news agency said its freelancers faced an "appalling situation" in Gaza. A 21-month war with Israel has devastated the territory, since Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023.

"For months, we have been witnessing, powerless, the dramatic deterioration of their living conditions," AFP said, adding that the situation had become untenable despite the "exemplary courage, professional commitment and resilience" of its local team.

The management statement came after AFP's journalists' association issued its own statement saying colleagues in Gaza risked dying of hunger.

AFP said it had succeeded in evacuating eight staff members and their families from Gaza between January and April 2024, after months of effort. It is now seeking to secure safe passage for its freelance Palestinian reporters, despite "the extreme difficulty of leaving a territory under strict blockade".

According to Reuters, Israel has barred international journalists from entering Gaza since October 7, 2023. AFP said the work of its Palestinian freelancers remained crucial to informing the world, but said they now had to leave because of the risk to their lives.

Reuters also works with freelance journalists in Gaza.

"Reuters is deeply concerned about the health and safety of its freelancers in Gaza, with whom we are in daily contact. The extreme difficulty sourcing food is leading to their and all Gaza residents experiencing greater levels of hunger and illness," a Reuters spokesperson said. "We are providing our contributors with additional financial support to help them and, should they wish to leave the territory, we will provide any assistance possible to help them get out."