Daijiworld Media Network – Beirut

Beirut, Aug 12: Lebanon's parliament on Tuesday voted to abolish the death penalty, marking a major shift in the country's criminal justice system and drawing praise from international bodies and human rights organisations.

A majority of the 128-member parliament supported the legislation. However, Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc voted against the move.

The bill will now be referred to Lebanon's Cabinet before being submitted to President Joseph Aoun for approval.

European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas welcomed the parliamentary decision, describing the abolition of capital punishment for all crimes, including through its retroactive application, as an important achievement.

Kallas noted that Lebanon has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions since 2004 and said the latest move demonstrated the country's commitment to protecting the right to life.

She also described Lebanon's decision as a significant example for other countries in the Middle East and beyond, saying it reinforced the growing international movement towards abolition of the death penalty.

If approved through the remaining legislative process, Lebanon would become the first country in the Middle East to formally abolish capital punishment, according to Kallas.