The Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH) is a local non-profit, non-partisan Lebanese human rights organization in Beirut that was established by the Franco-Lebanese Movement SOLIDA (Support for Lebanese Detained Arbitrarily) in 2006. SOLIDA has been active since 1996 in the struggle against arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and the impunity of those perpetrating gross human violations.

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October 12, 2010

Naharnet - Cabinet Postpones Discussing 'False Witnesses' to Oct. 20 - October 12, 2010


The Cabinet has postponed the discussion of the explosive "false witnesses" issue to Wednesday, October 20, Information Minister Tareq Mitri announced Tuesday, after a highly-anticipated session held amidst concerns and fears that a vote could spark a fresh political crisis.
Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar submitted his report on false witnesses, stressing that his report is "legal and not political and that its content contains answers to the questions raised during the August 18 session," Mitri added.

"After the detailed demonstration by the justice minister, a number of ministers participated in a general discussion about false witnesses and how they should be prosecuted, in addition to the cabinet's responsibility in that regard," the information minister said.

President Michel Suleiman started the session by announcing that the final touches have been put on preparations to welcome Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is due in Lebanon Wednesday morning.

"We're counting on this visit to fortify the ongoing good relations between us and Iran, which are characterized by mutual respect, and we stress that Lebanon welcomes the visit," Suleiman said, noting that "memoranda of understanding will be signed tomorrow."

For his part, Prime Minister Saad Hariri briefed the cabinet about his trip to Egypt and his talks there that tackled the regional situation, "especially regarding the Israeli intransigence and the Egyptian concerns over the tensions in Lebanon."

Hariri stressed "the priority of dialogue and preserving stability in Lebanon," Mitri added.

"The country would suffer a burdensome cost if political disputes agitated and diverted attention from people's living conditions, which are numerous," Mitri quoted Hariri as saying.

The information minister announced that "the cabinet has agreed during today's session to authorize the ministers concerned to sign the agreements and memoranda of understanding that will be reached tomorrow with the Iranian side during President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit."

However, the agreements and memoranda of understanding will later be discussed by the cabinet which is the relevant side entitled to approve them, Mitri added.

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