Lebanese PM, Defense Minister clash in parliament over amnesty law

Beirut, Lebanon – A significant dispute flared in the Lebanese parliament Tuesday between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Defense Minister Michel Menassa, halting proceedings over the general amnesty bill. The clash reportedly stemmed from Salam's insistence that only the Prime Minister, not a minister, could articulate the government's stance on the controversial legislation.

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We will not accept such a precedent, and therefore we will take an escalatory stance if the insistence on this 'ban' persists.

Menassa was reportedly prevented from delivering a speech outlining the Lebanese Army's position on the amnesty law, prompting him to leave the parliamentary session. Sources within the Strong Lebanon bloc, aligned with the Free Patriotic Movement, strongly condemned the move. They asserted that preventing a minister from expressing an opinion sets a dangerous precedent and vowed to take "an escalatory stance" if the insistence on this "ban" continued.

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We will not allow such an attack on a minister, especially since he represents the Lebanese Army's position.

"We will not allow such an attack on a minister, especially since he represents the Lebanese Army's position," the bloc's sources stated, emphasizing their rejection of such actions. Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab confirmed the session's adjournment, stating it was necessary to "resolve the dispute between the Prime Minister and Defense Minister Michel Menassa." Speaker Nabih Berri was reportedly engaged in discussions with Salam to de-escalate the situation.

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the session was adjourned to resolve the dispute between the Prime Minister and Defense Minister Michel Menassa.

MP Jamil al-Sayyed revealed that a majority favored voting on the amnesty law but warned that Salam's actions could jeopardize this. Al-Sayyed recounted that Salam allegedly told Menassa that failure to pass the law would place the Lebanese army in confrontation with the Sunni community. According to al-Sayyed, Menassa was visibly distressed by the Prime Minister's tone. Reports indicate Berri was attempting to calm Menassa before the session was scheduled to resume.

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Salam told Menassa that if the law wasn't passed, he was putting the Lebanese army in confrontation with the Sunni community.