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Lebanese Parliament Votes to Abolish Death Penalty
Just the facts
Lebanon's Parliament approved legislation that officially eliminates the death penalty from the nation's legal framework. Under the newly passed bill, criminal offenses previously eligible for capital punishment will be punished by life imprisonment with aggravated hard labor. The measure must now receive final approval from the Lebanese cabinet before entering into full legal effect. If fully ratified, the law will make Lebanon the first country in the Middle East to formally abolish capital punishment. Prior to the vote, Lebanon maintained a de facto moratorium on capital punishment, having last executed a prisoner in 2004.
Why this is news
The Parliament of Lebanon voted to abolish capital punishment, replacing death sentences with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labor. The legislation moves to the Lebanese cabinet for final executive approval.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.