Strong Lebanon bloc demands parliamentary session to question government

The Strong Lebanon bloc has urged Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri to hold a dedicated session to question the government and hold it accountable for its performance and adherence to its ministerial statement, as well as the actions taken or not taken in a series of core files, ranging from Syrian displacement and energy to depositors' funds, weapons, defense policy, judicial independence, decentralization, and administrative appointments.

The formal request submitted by bloc MPs, based on Articles 131 and 136 of the Parliament's internal regulations, is part of an effort to activate the oversight role of the Parliament and hold the government accountable for issues that, according to the MPs, have so far received no clear or sufficient answers. The request was signed by MPs Gebran Bassil, Cesar Abi Khalil, Nada al-Bustani, George Atallah, Edgar Traboulsi, and Samer al-Toum. This aligns with the official announcement today, Wednesday, following yesterday’s declaration by the Free Patriotic Movement (Tayyar al-Watani al-Hur) to proceed with questioning the government.

In their letter, the MPs noted that a large number of parliamentary questions previously submitted remain unanswered by the government, despite being converted into formal inquiries. Meanwhile, government responses in other areas, according to the request text, contain insufficient or contradictory data and fail to directly address the raised issues. The key points are as follows:

1- Syrian Displacement and Return of Displaced Persons

In the first file, the bloc requested a parliamentary inquiry into the government’s plan to address Syrian displacement and the effectiveness of this plan in achieving the “rapid and tangible return” of displaced persons.

The letter specifically highlighted the government’s response to a prior question from the bloc under letter No. 1822/M.S., which contained conflicting data and figures that, according to the MPs, raise serious doubts about the actual outcomes of the plan, the criteria used to calculate the number of returnees, and the veracity of the return claims.

The MPs stated that, in their assessment, tangible results remain disproportionate to the scale of the displacement issue and its repercussions on Lebanon.

2- Energy, Water, Electricity, Oil, and Gas

On the energy and water file, the bloc requested an inquiry into what it described as the absence of a clear and comprehensive plan to address the water and dam crisis, amid severe water shortages in numerous regions and lack of clarity regarding the fate of dams and water infrastructure projects that had been approved, funded, or partially implemented.

Regarding electricity, the request addressed the ongoing poor power supply, with the document noting that coverage frequently fails to exceed two hours per day.

MPs also raised concerns about the relevant minister’s failure to respond to several parliamentary questions related to the energy sector, particularly concerning the fuel barge controversy, associated allegations, and ongoing legal investigations, as well as matters related to sector management, plans to increase production, and ensuring sustainable supply.

The bloc also demanded accountability from the government regarding Lebanon’s oil and gas file in Lebanese waters, which it described as frozen, and the contracts signed by the ministry that allegedly halted oil and gas activities.

3- Criminal Audit, Depositors’ Funds, and Financial Recovery

In one of the most prominent financial files, the bloc demanded a parliamentary inquiry into the status of the criminal audit at the Central Bank of Lebanon, the extent of its completion, and the measures taken based on its findings, in light of commitments and pledges previously made by the government before Parliament and the public.

The inquiry also covers the government’s approach to addressing the depositors’ crisis, especially given what the MPs see as the absence of a comprehensive, clear financial and reform plan that defines responsibilities, safeguards depositors’ rights, and outlines mechanisms for returning their funds, alongside a serious economic and financial recovery strategy.

The MPs also requested accountability for the reasons behind linking the banking reform process to the law on addressing the fiscal gap, while the government, according to the document, has yet to finalize a complete and definitive project to resolve this gap, with delays having negative implications for banking sector restructuring and depositors’ rights.

4- Security, Arms, Defense, and Foreign Policy

On the security file, the Strong Lebanon bloc requested a parliamentary inquiry into negotiations, the framework agreement, and its secret security annex, and the obligations they impose on Lebanon.

It also asked for accountability regarding the government’s implementation of commitments made in its ministerial statement to establish a clear national defense policy and address the arms issue.

This point comes as the Free Patriotic Movement reiterated in its September 1 political statement that state stability, according to its position, requires the Lebanese Army to extend its authority over all Lebanese territory, monopolize weapons, and build a national security strategy.

5- Judicial Independence

On the judiciary file, the MPs demanded a parliamentary inquiry into the government’s actual commitment to the principle of judicial independence and protection from political interference, as well as the measures taken to ensure judicial independence and the proper functioning of justice.

The letter linked this file to the controversies and exceptional appointments that accompanied it, and questioned why the government has not presented a replacement law after the Constitutional Council annulled the law on judicial independence.

6- Administrative Decentralization

On the decentralization file, the bloc questioned the government on the reasons for the lack of tangible progress in implementing administrative decentralization, despite its recognition as a fundamental reform and its inclusion in the ministerial statement’s priorities.

The MPs requested the government to clarify what concrete steps it has taken to fulfill this commitment, and to disclose its plan and deadlines for transitioning from promises to tangible legislative and implementation actions.

7- Administrative Appointments, Appointments, and Oversight Bodies

The seventh point addresses administrative appointments, judicial, diplomatic, and security appointments, as well as appointments to oversight and regulatory bodies. The bloc demanded accountability from the government regarding legal irregularities and issues identified in several of these appointments, and the reasons for non-compliance with established laws and procedures, and in some cases, failure to follow proper selection and appointment mechanisms.

The MPs also raised concerns about the government’s adherence to principles of transparency, competence, and equal opportunity—principles the government itself had previously declared as guiding standards for appointments.

In conclusion, the MPs argued that the gravity of these files and their direct impact on institutional functioning, economic, social, security, and financial conditions necessitate activating the oversight role of the Parliament and holding the government accountable for fulfilling its commitments and policies.

They requested that Berri refer the inquiry to the government according to procedure and take necessary steps to convene a dedicated session for inquiries “as soon as possible,” particularly citing Articles 131 and 136 of the Parliament’s internal regulations.