On Thursday, Head of the Parliament Nabih Berri announced a general legislative session at 11 AM on Thursday, August 17, 2023, to discuss the projects and proposals listed on the agenda. Berri chaired a meeting of the Parliament's Bureau at the second presidential headquarters in Ain El Tineh, attended by Vice President Elie Abu Saab, the secretaries of the parliament, Hadi Abu Al-Hassan and Alan Aoun, the commissioners Michel Musa, Karim Kabbara, and Hagop Pakradounian, the Secretary-General of the Parliament Adnan Daher, and the Director of the Joint Administration at the Parliament Nawaf Hamieh.
After the meeting, Vice President Elie Abu Saab stated: "The Bureau of the Parliament met under the presidency of Nabih Berri, and indeed there was a discussion about the proposed projects and laws to be reviewed and decided upon by the general assembly. We are talking about essential legislation, although President Nabih Berri always emphasizes that the council has the right to legislate; however, he is keen to keep the agenda focused on essential legislation, considering that many demands from political blocs are taken into account."
Regarding the agenda, there are several items that could be raised in the upcoming session. The first proposal is the Lebanese Sovereign Fund, which is a necessary requirement demanded by most political groups. Its importance lies in the attempt to approve this sovereign fund before the arrival of the drilling ship scheduled for mid-August, as this opportunity reinforces the credibility of Lebanon and ensures where the accruing funds will be allocated, granting reassurance to the Lebanese people and generating trust with the international community. Therefore, it is required from all parties to study this law and consider attending the session.
The second item is "the bill referenced in Decree 9910, which relates to the Lebanese Republic and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. If we do not approve this agreement, it will move to another country, and we must maintain this opportunity."
The third item pertains to "distributed renewable energy generation. This issue is crucial because there is a loan from the World Bank of around $200 to $300 million that will be delivered, and we are in urgent need of it for renewable energy projects."
The fourth item relates to "the capital control law that was introduced in the previous session. This law has reached the general assembly, and there is an opportunity to listen to the new governance of the Central Bank of Lebanon. President Nabih Berri requested the Secretary-General of the Parliament to communicate with the deputy governors to see if they have any new notes or data to consider."
The fifth item is "a parliamentary petition regarding Syrian refugees to discuss the European resolution related to the nature of the refugees and the Lebanese parliamentary stance concerning it. We all know that there is a resolution from the European Parliament that has been taken on our behalf regarding this issue; what is our stance? By what right and justice do they make such a decision? Naturally, no one can impose such decisions on us. As a parliamentary council, what is our position, and how do we respond to this resolution?"
Abu Saab concluded by saying: "At the end of the session, we requested President Berri to brief us on the current security events, which we reject and condemn, and we warn that they could lead the country to a place we do not wish to see. President Berri briefed us on the communications he is conducting in this regard."
