Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab confirmed that there is discontent among the MPs regarding the current situation, noting that “there is a suggestion that it would be better for the Governor of the Central Bank, Riad Salameh, to step down; the situation is not sound, and we cannot continue this way.” In a press conference from the Parliament following a session of the joint parliamentary committees that discussed agenda items, Bou Saab said, “Salameh needs to make the appropriate decision for the benefit of Lebanon; he is no longer able to fulfill his duties, and I fear what is coming; the future of the banks is uncertain.”
Regarding the government’s absence, he stated, “Unfortunately, no minister from the government attended the session, despite the importance of the topics discussed, and their engagements did not even allow them to apologize for their absence. There was a complete absence of the government from the session, and we hope that upcoming sessions will be taken more seriously.”
Bou Saab clarified that “in relation to the proposed law concerning the reduction of prison sentences, presented by MP Qassem Hashem, a subcommittee has been formed to study it. While it is true that prisons cannot bear the current pressure, the proposal does not address the problem at hand, as less than 20% of inmates are convicted, while more than 80% do not have verdicts against them,” emphasizing that “there should be a distinction between crimes, and addressing the crisis requires more work than the way the law was presented.”
He continued, “Regarding the proposed law related to the Monetary and Credit Law and the establishment of the Central Bank, presented by MP Ziad Hawwat, we have added an amendment to Articles 4, 5, and 6, enabling the printing of banknotes exceeding one hundred thousand lira, leaving it to the Central Bank to determine their value.” He pointed out that “the final decision on passing the law is made by the General Assembly.”
Bou Saab concluded by stating, “We lost the quorum in the session when we reached the agenda item on the Dignity Card proposed by MP Faisal Karami.”
