Lebanon Abolishes Death Penalty, Sets Historic Precedent in Middle East

Lebanon's parliament has abolished the death penalty, replacing existing death sentences with life imprisonment. This landmark decision makes Lebanon the first Middle Eastern country to formally end capital punishment, aligning with a global trend and upholding human rights. The European Union and Amnesty International praised the move.

In a historic move, Lebanon's parliament has abolished the death penalty, substituting it with life imprisonment for all current death row inmates, as announced by the speaker's office on Tuesday.

This decision places Lebanon as the first country in the Middle East to officially end capital punishment, though a de facto moratorium on executions has been in place since 2004.

Hailed by the European Union as a 'powerful example,' the decision was also celebrated by Amnesty International as a significant step for human rights. Lebanon's legislature considers additional amnesty measures to alleviate prison overcrowding.