The Parliament held a legislative session chaired by Speaker Nabih Berri, with the presence of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, starting at 11 AM. The agenda included 16 items of laws and proposals completed by the parliamentary committees, in addition to several urgent repeated proposals which would be integrated into the session's agenda. The session began after a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs of Lebanon and Palestine.
The session launched with a question posed by MP George Adwan to Speaker Berri regarding whether legislative work would continue if the government approved a delay in dismissal. Berri replied, "Of course, we have no relation to the government." During the session, the "Strong Lebanon" bloc interrupted the proceedings, while MPs from the "Renewal" bloc took seats among the journalists in the assembly hall.
The Parliament approved the draft law presented in Decree No. 9000 concerning "Distributed Renewable Energy Production." The General Assembly of the Parliament referred the draft law in Decree No. 9014, regarding the imposition of exceptional and temporary controls on bank transfers and cash withdrawals, back to committees upon the request of the Prime Minister. It was reported that President Berri has given Mikati two months to return with a capital control draft law as part of an integrated package.
The General Assembly approved the draft law in Decree No. 9204 regarding the request for approval to sign a loan agreement (1061) between the Lebanese Republic and the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development to finance the project for establishing sewage systems in the Batroun district. It also endorsed the draft law in Decree No. 9288 regarding the request for approval to conclude a loan agreement with the European investment bank to contribute to financing the roads and employment project in Lebanon, with amendments. Additionally, the Assembly approved the draft law in Decree No. 9910 regarding the request for approval to conclude an agreement between the Government of the Lebanese Republic and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies concerning the legal status of the Federation in Lebanon.
The urgent draft law presented in Decree No. 12617 regarding the request for approval to conclude a loan agreement between the Government of the Lebanese Republic and the World Bank for Reconstruction and Development to implement the second additional financing project for the social safety net in the emergency crisis was approved, after an article was added. The Parliament ratified the draft law amending the social security law and establishing a pension and social protection system after incorporating some amendments, after a wait of 20 years.
**Adjournment**
Around 1:30 PM, Berri adjourned the session until 6 PM after losing the quorum. During the morning session, six bills on the agenda were approved, and the capital control draft law was referred to the committees after the Prime Minister's commitment to prepare a draft within two months.
**After the Session**
After the session, MP George Adwan stated that they attended with a clear purpose, waiting for the extension of the army commander and the government’s decision, emphasizing that it would not affect the course of matters. He noted that regardless of what the government decides, the Parliament would discuss Article 56 of the Defense Law tomorrow. He added, "Contacts are ongoing with the blocs, and we have reached a unified formula to prevent obstruction, and it has been determined that the dismissal will occur in Parliament even if it happens in the government."
MTV reported that the unified formula was achieved between the "Democratic Gathering," "National Moderation," and Adib Abd el-Masih for a one-year extension for all military ranks, with positive negotiations continuing with the "Lebanese Forces" for unified vision. Prior to the session, MP Ghassan Hasbani stated that they would spare no effort to extend the army commander while committing to refrain from legislation on other laws. He expressed surprise at the speed of the Cabinet meeting coinciding with the Parliament session, noting suspicion about the matter, and insisted that the extension for the army commander should not be subject to challenge, coordinating with opposition forces in this regard.
For his part, MP Hadi Abou el-Hassan stated from the Parliament Square, "We are in favor of fully applying the law and insist on extending the army commander for reasons related to the structure of the military institution." He continued, "We insist on discussing the extension of the army commander in Parliament tomorrow, even if the extension is approved by a decree in the Cabinet, the law remains stronger than the decree, and we, as a parliamentary council, must fulfill our role."
