History
Lebanon is a multi-cultural state. The original constitution has been promulgated on 23 May 1926 and is the oldest operative constitution in the Arab world.
a. Lebanon is a sovereign, free, and independent country. It is a final homelandfor all its citizens. It is unified in its territory, people, and institutionswithin the boundaries defined in this constitution and recognizedinternationally.
b. Lebanon is Arab in its identity and in its association. It is a founding andactive member of the League of Arab States and abides by its pacts and covenants.Lebanon is also a founding and active member of the United Nations Organizationand abides by its covenants and by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.The Government shall embody these principles in all fields and areas withoutexception.
c. Lebanon is a parliamentary democratic republic based on respect for publicliberties, especially the freedom of opinion and belief, and respect for socialjustice and equality of rights and duties among all citizens withoutdiscrimination.
d. The people are the source of authority and sovereignty; they shall exercisethese powers through the constitutional institutions.
e. The political system is established on the principle of separation, balance,and cooperation amongst the various branches of Government.
f. The economic system is free and ensures private initiative and the right toprivate property.
g. The even development among regions on the educational, social, and economiclevels shall be a basic pillar of the unity of the state and the stability ofthe system.
h. The abolition of political confessionalism is a basic national goal and shallbe achieved according to a gradual plan.
i. Lebanese territory is one for all Lebanese. Every Lebanese has the right tolive in any part of it and to enjoy the sovereignty of law wherever he resides.There is no segregation of the people on the basis of any type of belonging, and nofragmentation, partition, or colonization. j. There is no constitutionallegitimacy for any authority which contradicts the 'pact of communalcoexistence'. This Constitutional Law shall be published in the Official Gazette.
[Part] A. Fundamental Provisions
[Chapter] I. On the State and its Territories
Article 1 [Territory]
Lebanon is an independent, indivisible, and sovereign state. Its frontiers arethose which now bound it:
On the North: From the mouth of al-Kabir River, along a line following thecourse of this river to its point of junction with Khalid Valley oppositeal-Qamar Bridge.
On the East: The summit line separating the Khalid Valley and al-Asi River (Orontes)and passing by the villages of Mu'aysarah, Harbanah, Hayt, Ibish, Faysan to theheight of the two villages of Brina and Matraba. This line follows the northernboundary of the Ba`albak District at the northeastern and south easterndirections, thence the eastern boundaries of the districts of Ba`albak, Biqa',Hasbayya, and Rashayya.
On the South: The present southern boundaries of the districts of Sūr (Tyre)and Marji`yun.
On the West: The Mediterranean.
Article 2 [Territorial Integrity]
No part of the Lebanese territory may be alienated or ceded.
Article 3 [Administrative Areas]
The boundaries of the administrative areas may not be modified except by law.
Article 4 [Republic, Capital]
Greater Lebanon is a Republic the capital of which is Beirut.
Article 5 [Flag]
The Lebanese flag is composed of three horizontal stripes, a white stripebetween two red ones. The width of the white stripe is equal to that of both redstripes. In the center of and occupying one third of the white stripe is a greenCedar tree with its top touching the upper red stripe and its base touching thelower red stripe.
[Chapter] II. The Rights and Duties of the Citizen
Article 6 [Nationality]
Lebanese nationality and the manner in which it is acquired, retained, and lostis to be determined in accordance with the law.
Article 7 [Equality]
All Lebanese are equal before the law. They equally enjoy civil and politicalrights and equally are bound by public obligations and duties without anydistinction.
Article 8 [Personal Liberty, nulla poena sine lege]
Individual liberty is guaranteed and protected by law. No one may be arrested,imprisoned, or kept in custody except according to the provisions of the law. Nooffense may be established or penalty imposed except by law.
Article 9 [Conscience, Belief]
There shall be absolute freedom of conscience. The state in
rendering homage to the Most High shall respect all religions and creeds andguarantees, under its protection, the free exercise of all religious ritesprovided that public order is not disturbed. It also guarantees that thepersonal status and religious interests of the population, to whatever religioussect they belong, is respected.
Article 10 [Education, Confessional Schools]
Education is free insofar as it is not contrary to public order and morals anddoes not interfere with the dignity of any of the religions or creeds. Thereshall be no violation of the right of eligious communities to have their ownschools provided they follow the general rules issued by the state regulatingpublic instruction.
Article 11 [Official National Language]
Arabic is the official national language. A law determines the cases in whichthe French language may be used.
Article 12 [Public Office]
Every Lebanese has the right to hold public office, no preference being madeexcept on the basis of merit and competence, according to the conditionsestablished by law. A special statute guarantees the rights of state officialsin the departments to which they belong.
Article 13 [Expression, Press, Assembly, Association]
The freedom to express one's opinion orally or in writing, the freedom of thepress, the freedom of assembly, and the freedom of association are guaranteedwithin the limits established by law.
Article 14 [Home]
The citizen's place of residence is inviolable. No one may enter it except inthe circumstances and manners prescribed by law.
Article 15 [Property]
Rights of ownership are protected by law. No one's property may be expropriatedexcept for reasons of public utility in cases established by law and after faircompensation has been paid beforehand.
[Chapter] I. General Provisions
Article 16 [Legislative Power, One Chamber]
Legislative power is vested in a single body, the Chamber of Deputies.
Article 17 [Executive Power, Council of Ministers]
Executive power is entrusted to the Council of Ministers to be exercised it inaccordance with the conditions laid down in this constitution.
Article 18 [Bills]
The Parliament and the Council of Ministers have the right to propose laws. Nolaw shall be promulgated until it has been adopted by the Chamber.
Article 19 [Constitutional Council]
A Constitutional Council is established to supervise the constitutionality oflaws and to arbitrate conflicts that arise from parliamentary and presidentialelections. The President, the President of the Parliament, the Prime Minister,along with any
ten Members of Parliament, have the right to consult this Council on mattersthat relate to the constitutionality of laws. The officially recognized heads ofreligious communities have the right to consult this Council only on lawsrelating to personal status, the freedom of belief and religious practice, andthe freedom of religious education. The rules governing the organization,operation, composition, and modes of appeal of the Council are decided by aspecial law.
Article 20 [Judicial Power]
Judicial power is to be exercised by the tribunals of various levels andjurisdictions. It functions within the limits of an order established by the lawand offering the necessary guarantees to judges and litigants. The limits andconditions for the protection of the judges are determined by law. The judgesare independent in the exercise of their duties. The decisions and judgments ofall courts are rendered and executed in the name of the Lebanese People.
Article 21 [Electoral Rights]
Every Lebanese citizen who has completed his twenty-first year is an electorprovided he fulfills the conditions laid down in the electoral law.
[Chapter] II. The Legislative Power
Article 22 [Senate]
With the election of the first Parliament on a national, non-confessional basis,a Senate is established in which all the religious communities are represented.Its authority is limited to major national issues.
Article 23 [Eligibility to the Senate]
{abolished 1927}
Article 24 [Electoral Laws]
(1) The Chamber of Deputies is composed of elected members; their number and themethod of their election is determined by the electoral laws in effect. Untilsuch time as the Chamber enacts new electoral laws on a non-confessional basis,the distribution of seats is according to the following principles:
a. Equal representation between Christians and Muslims.
b. Proportional representation among the confessional groups within eachreligious community.
c. Proportional representation among geographic regions.
(2) Exceptionally, and for one time only, the seats that are currently vacant,as well as the new seats that have been established by law, are to be filled byappointment, all at once, and by a majority of two thirds of the Government ofNational Unity. This is to establish equality between Christians and Muslims asstipulated in the Document of National Accord [The Taif Agreement]. Theelectoral laws will specify the details regarding the implementation of thisclause.
Article 25 [Dissolution]
Should the Chamber of Deputies be dissolved, the Decision of dissolution mustprovide for the holding of new elections in accordance with Article 24 andwithin a period not exceeding three months.
Article 26 [Location of Government and Parliament]
The Government and the Chamber of Deputies shall be located in Beirut.
Article 27 [Representation]
A member of the Chamber represents the whole nation. No
restriction or stipulation may be imposed upon his mandate by his electors.
Article 28 [No Incompatibility]
A Deputy may also occupy a ministerial position. Ministers, all or in part, maybe selected from among the members of the Chamber or from persons outside theChamber.
Article 29 [Incompatibility by Law]
Cases in which persons are disqualified from becoming Deputies are determined bylaw.
Article 30 [Validating Elections]
The Deputies alone have competence to judge the validity of their mandate. NoDeputy's mandate may be invalidated except by a majority of two thirds of thevotes of the entire membership. This clause is automatically cancelled as soonas the Constitutional Council is established and as soon as the laws relating toit are implemented.
Article 31 [Illegal Sessions]
Meetings of the Chamber outside those set for legal sessions are unlawful and ipsofacto null and void.
Article 32 [Ordinary Sessions]
The Chamber meets each year in two ordinary sessions. The first session opens onthe first Tuesday following 15 March and continues until the end of May. Thesecond session begins on the first Tuesday following 15 Oct; its meetings isreserved for the discussion of and voting on the budget before any other work.This session lasts until the end of the year.
Article 33 [Extraordinary Sessions]
The ordinary sessions begin and end automatically on the dates fixed in Article32. The President of the Republic in consultation with the Prime Minister maysummon the Chamber to extraordinary sessions by a Decree specifying the dates ofthe opening and closing of the extraordinary sessions as well as the agenda. ThePresident of the Republic is required to convoke the Chamber if an absolutemajority of the total membership so requests.
Article 34 [Quorum]
The Chamber is not validly constituted unless the majority of the totalmembership is present. Decisions are to be taken by a majority vote. Should thevotes be equal, the question under consideration is deemed rejected.
Article 35 [Publicity]
The meetings of the Chamber are public. However, at the request of theGovernment or of five Deputies, the Chamber may sit in secret sessions. It maythen decide whether to resume the discussion of the same question in public.
Article 36 [Voting Process]
Votes are to be cast verbally or by the members standing, except for electionswhen the ballot is secret. With respect to laws in general and on questions ofconfidence, the vote is always taken by roll call and the responses are made inan audible voice.
Article 37 [Vote of No-Confidence]
Every Deputy has the absolute right to raise the question of no-confidence inthe government during ordinary or extraordinary sessions. Discussion of andvoting on such a proposal may not take place until at least five days after
submission to the secretariat of the Chamber and its communication to theministers concerned.
Article 38 [Reintroduction of Bills]
No Bill that has been rejected by the Chamber may be re-
introduced during the same session.
Article 39 [Indemnity]
No member of the Chamber may be prosecuted because of ideas and opinionsexpressed during the period of his mandate.
Article 40 [Immunity]
No member of the Chamber may, during the sessions, be prosecuted or arrested fora criminal offense without the permission of the Chamber, except when he iscaught in the act.
Article 41 [Re-election]
Should a seat in the Chamber become vacant, the election of a successor beginswithin two months. The mandate of the new member does not exceed that of the oldmember whose place he is taking; however, should the seat in the Chamber becomevacant during the last six months of its mandate, no successor may be elected.
Article 42 [General Elections]
General elections for the renewal of the Chamber shall take place within a sixtyday period preceeding the expiration of its mandate.
Article 43 [Rules of Procedure]
The Chamber draws up its own internal rules and procedures.
Article 44 [First Session]
(1) Each time a new Chamber is elected, the Chamber meets under the presidencyof the oldest member and the secretariat or the two youngest. It will then electseparately, by a secret ballot and by an absolute majority of the votes cast,the President and the Vice President of the Chamber to hold office for thelength or the Chamber's term. At the third ballot, a relative majority issufficient. Should the votes be equal, the oldest candidate is consideredelected.
(2) Every time a new Chamber or Deputies is elected, as well as in the Octobersession or each year, the Chamber elects two Secretaries by secret ballotaccording to the majority stipulated in the first part or this article.
(3) The Chamber may, once only, two years after the election or its Presidentand his Deputy, and in the first session it holds, withdraw its confidence fromthe President of the Chamber or his Deputy by a Decision of two thirds of theChamber, based on a petition signed by at least ten Deputies. The Chamber, atsuch point, must hold an immediate session to fill the vacant post.
Article 45 [Presence]
Members of the Chamber may only vote when they are present at the meeting.Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.
Article 46 [Parliamentary Order]
The Chamber has the exclusive right to maintain order in its meetings throughits President.
Article 47 [Petitions]
Petitions to the Chamber may not be presented except in writing. They may not bepresented verbally or at the bar of the Chamber.
Article 48 [Remuneration]
The remuneration of members of the Chamber is determined by law.
[Chapter] III. The Executive Power
[Section] 1. The President of the Republic
Article 49 [Presidential Powers]
(1) The President of the Republic is the bead of the state and the symbol of thenation's unity. He shall safeguard the constitution and Lebanon's independence,unity, and territorial integrity. The President shall preside over the SupremeDefense Council and be the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces which fallunder the authority of the Council of Ministers.
(2) The President of the Republic shall be elected by secret ballot and by atwothirds majority of the Chamber of Deputies. After a first ballot, an absolutemajority shall be sufficient. The President's term is for six years. He may notbe re-elected until six years after the expiration of his last mandate. No onemay be elected to the Presidency of the Republic unless he fulfills theconditions of eligibility for the Chamber of Deputies.
(3) It is also not possible to elect judges, Grade One civil servants, or theirequivalents in all public institutions to the Presidency during their term oroffice or within two years following the date of their resignation or theirleaving office for whatever reason.
Article 50 [Oath]
Upon assuming office, the President of the Republic shall take an oath offidelity before the Parliament to the Lebanese Nation and the constitution inthe following terms:
"I swear by Almighty God to observe the Constitution and the laws of theLebanese Nation and to maintain the independence of Lebanon and its territorialintegrity."
Article 51 [Promulgation of Laws]
The President of the Republic promulgates the laws after they have been approvedby the Chamber in accordance with the time limits specified by the constitution.He asks for the publication or these laws, and he may not modify these laws orexempt anyone from complying with their provisions.
Article 52 [Negotiation of International Treaties]
The President of the Republic negotiates international treaties in coordinationwith the Prime Minister. These treaties are not considered ratified except afteragreement of the Council of Ministers. They are to be made known to the Chamberwhenever the national interest and security of the state permit. However,treaties involving the finances of the state, commercial treaties, and ingeneral treaties that cannot be renounced every year are not considered ratifieduntil they have been approved by the Chamber.
Article 53 [List of Additional Presidential Powers]
1. The President presides over the Council of Ministers when he wishes withoutparticipating in voting.
2. The President designates the Prime Minister in consultation with thePresident of the Chamber of Deputies based on parliamentary consultations whichare binding and the content of which the President formally discloses to thePrime Minister.
3. The President alone issues the Decree which designates the Prime Minister.
4. He issues, in agreement with the Prime Minister, the decree appointing theCabinet and the decrees accepting the resignation
of Ministers.
5. He issues, on his own authority, the decrees accepting the resignation of theCabinet or considering it resigned.
6. He forwards to the Chamber of Deputies Bills that are delivered to him by theCouncil of Ministers.
7. He accredits ambassadors and accept the credentials of ambassadors.
8. He presides over official functions and grants official decorations by Decree.
9. He grants particular pardons by Decree, but a general amnesty cannot begranted except by a law.
10. He addresses, when necessary, letters to the Chamber of Deputies.
11. He may introduce, from outside the agenda, any urgent matter to the councilof Ministers.
12. He may, in agreement with the Prime Minister, call the Council of Ministersto an extraordinary session, whenever he deems this necessary.
Article 54 [Countersignature]
The decisions of the President must be countersigned by the Prime Minister andthe Minister or Ministers concerned except the Decree designating a new PrimeMinister and the Decree accepting the resignation of the Cabinet or consideringit resigned. Decrees issuing laws must be countersigned by the Prime Minister.
Article 55 [Dissolution of Parliament by Decree]
(1) The President of the Republic may, in accordance with the conditionsstipulated in Articles 65 and 77 of this constitution, ask the Council ofMinisters to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies before the expiration of itsmandate. If the Council, based on this request, decides to dissolve the Chamberof Deputies, the President issues the Decree dissolving it, and in this case,the electoral bodies meets as provided for in Article 25, and the new Chamber isto be called to convene within fifteen days after the proclamation of theelection.
(2) The administrative staff of the Chamber of Deputies continues to functionuntil the election or a new Chamber.
(3) If elections are not held within the time limit specified in Article 25 ofthe constitution, the Decree dissolving the Chamber is considered null and void,and the Chamber of Deputies continues to exercise its powers according to thestipulations of the constitution.
Article 56 [Promulgation Time Limits]
(1) The President of the Republic promulgates the laws which have been adoptedwithin one month of their transmission to the Government. He must promulgatelaws that were declared urgent by a special Decision of the Chamber within fivedays.
(2) The President issues decrees and requests their promulgation; he has theright to ask the Council of Ministers to review any Decision that the Chamberhas taken within fifteen days of the decision's transmission to the Presidency.If the Council of Ministers insists on the Decision or if the time limit passeswithout the Decree being issued or returned, the Decision or Decree isconsidered legally operative and must be promulgated.
Article 57 [Presidential Veto]
The President of the Republic, after consultation with the Council of Ministers,has the right to request the reconsideration of a law once during the periodprescribed for its promulgation. This request may not be refused. When thePresident exercises this right, he is not required to promulgate
this law until it has been reconsidered and approved by an absolute majority ofall the members legally composing the Chamber. If the time limits pass withoutthe law being issued or returned, the law is considered legally operative andmust be promulgated.
Article 58 [Urgent Bills]
Every Bill the Council of Ministers deems urgent and in which this urgency isindicated in the decree of transmission to the Chamber of Deputies may be issuedby the President within forty days following its communication to the Chamber,after including it on the agenda of a general meeting, reading it aloud beforethe Chamber, and after the expiration of the time limit without the Chamberacting on it.
Article 59 [Adjourning the Chamber]
The President of the Republic may adjourn the Chamber for a period not exceedingone month, but he may not do so twice during the same session.
Article 60 [Responsibility]
(1) While performing his functions, the President of the Republic may not beheld responsible except when he violates the constitution or in the case of hightreason.
(2) However, his responsibility in respect of ordinary crimes is subject to theordinary laws. For such crimes, as well as for violation of the constitution andfor high treason, he may not be impeached except by a majority of two thirds ofthe total membership of the Chamber of Deputies. He is to be tried by theSupreme Council provided for in Article 80. The functions of Public Prosecutorof the Supreme Council are performed by a judge appointed by the Supreme Councilin plenary session.
Article 61 [Suspension after Impeachement]
Should the President of the Republic be impeached, he is suspended from hisfunctions. The presidency remains vacant until the Supreme Council has settledthe matter.
Article 62 [Vacancy]
Should the Presidency become vacant for any reason whatsoever, the Council ofMinisters exercises the powers of the President by delegation.
Article 63 [Remuneration]
The remuneration of the President of the Republic is determined by a law. It maynot be increased or reduced during his term of office.
[Section] 2. The Prime Minister
Article 64 [Responsibility and Powers]
The Prime Minister is the Head of Government and its representative. He speaksin its name and is responsible for executing the general policy that is set bythe Council of Ministers. He exercises the following powers: 1. He heads theCouncil of Ministers and is ex officio Deputy Head of the Supreme DefenseCouncil. 2. He conducts the parliamentary consultations involved in forming aCabinet. He signs, with the President, the Decree forming the Cabinet. TheCabinet must present its general statement or policy to the Chamber and gain itsconfidence within thirty days of the date of issuance of the Decree in which theCabinet was formed. The Cabinet does not exercise its powers before it gains theChamber's confidence nor after it has resigned or is considered resigned, exceptin the narrow sense
of managing affairs.
3. He presents the Government's general policy statements before the Chamber ofDeputies.
4. He signs, along with the President, all decrees, except the Decree whichdesignates him the head of the Government, and the Decree accepting the Cabinet'sresignation or considering it resigned.
5. He signs the Decree calling for an extraordinary parliamentary session,decrees issuing laws, and requests for reviewing laws.
6. He calls the Council of Ministers into session and sets its agenda, and heinforms the President and the Ministers beforehand of the subjects included onthe agenda and of the urgent subjects that will be discussed.
7. He supervises the activities of the public administrations and institutions,coordinates among the Ministers and provides general guidance to ensure theproper progress of affairs.
8. He holds working meetings with the competent authorities in the Government inthe presence of the concerned Minister.
[Section] 3. The Council of Ministers
Article 65 [Powers]
Executive authority is vested in the Council of Ministers. It is the authorityto which the armed forces are subject. Among the powers that it exercises arethe following:
1. It sets the general policy of the Government in all fields, prepares Billsand organizational Decrees and makes the decisions necessary for implementingthem.
2. It watches over the execution of laws and regulations and supervises theactivities of all the Government's branches including the civil, military, andsecurity administrations and institutions without exception.
3. It appoints Government employees and dismisses them and accepts theirresignations according to the law.
4. It dissolves the Chamber of Deputies upon the request of the President of theRepublic if the Chamber of Deputies, for no compelling reasons, fails to meetduring one of its regular periods and fails to meet throughout two successiveextraordinary periods, each longer than one month, or if the Chamber returns anannual budget plan with the aim or paralyzing the Government. This right cannotbe exercised a second time if it is for the same reasons which led to thedissolution of the Chamber the first time.
5. The Council of Ministers meets in a locale specifically set aside for it, andthe President chairs its meetings when he attends. The legal quorum for aCouncil meeting is a majority of two thirds of its members. It makes itsdecisions by consensus. If that is not possible, it makes its decisions by voteof the majority of attending members. Basic national issues require the approvalof two thirds of the members of the Council named in the Decree forming theCabinet. Basic national issues are considered the following:
The amendment of the constitution, the declaration of a state of emergency andits termination, war and peace, general mobilization, international agreementsand treaties, the annual government budget, comprehensive and longtermdevelopment projects, the appointment of Grade One government employees andtheir equivalents, the review of the administrative map, the dissolution of theChamber of Deputies, electoral laws, nationality laws, personal status laws, andthe dismissal of Ministers.
Article 66 [Ministries, Responsibility]
Only Lebanese who satisfy the conditions for deputization may assume ministerialposts. The Ministers administer the
Government's services and assume the responsibility of applying the laws andregulations, each one according to the affairs of his administration and what isspecific to them. Ministers are collectively responsible before the Chamber forthe general policy of the Government and individually responsible for theirpersonal actions.
Article 67 [Ministers in Parliament]
Ministers may attend the Chamber if they so desire, and they have the right tobe heard whenever they request to speak. They may be assisted by whomever theyselect from among the officials of their Departments.
Article 68 [Vote of No-Confidence]
When the Chamber, in accordance with Article 37, passes a vote of noconfidencein a Minister, that Minister is required to resign.
Article 69 [Government Resignation]
(1) The Government is considered resigned in the following circumstances:
a. if the Prime Minister resigns;
b. if it loses more than a third of the members specified in the Decree formingit;
c. if the Prime Minister dies;
d. at the beginning of the term of the President of the Republic;
e. at the beginning of the term of the Chamber of Deputies;
f. when it loses the confidence of the Chamber of Deputies based on the Chamber'sinitiative or based on the Council's initiative to gain the Chamber's confidence.
(2) Ministers are to be dismissed by a Decree signed by the President and thePrime Minister in accordance with Article 65 of the constitution.
(3) When the Council resigns or is considered resigned, the Chamber of Deputiesis automatically considered in extraordinary session until a new Council hasbeen formed and has gained the Chamber's confidence.
Article 70 [Impeachment]
(1) The Chamber of Deputies has the right to impeach the Prime Minister andMinisters for high treason or for serious neglect of their duties. The Decisionto impeach may not be taken except by a majority of two thirds of the totalmembership of the Chamber.
(2) A special law is to be issued to determine the conditions of the civilresponsibility of the Prime Minister and individual Ministers.
Article 71 [Judicial Impeachment Proceedings]
The impeached Prime Minister or Minister are tried by the Supreme Council.
Article 72 [Consequences of Impeachment]
A Prime Minister or Minister leaves office as soon as the Decision ofimpeachment concerning him is issued. If he resigns, his resignation does notprevent judicial proceedings from being instituted or continued against him.
[Part] C. Procedural Provisions
[Chapter] I. Election of the President of the Republic
Article 73 [Election of the President]
One month at least and two months at most before the expiration of the term ofoffice of the President of the Republic, the Chamber is summoned by itsPresident to elect the new
President of the Republic. However, should it not be summoned for this purpose,the Chamber meets of its own accord on the tenth day preceding the expiration ofthe President's term of office.
Article 74 [Vacancy of Presidency]
Should the Presidency become vacant through the death or resignation of thePresident or for any other cause, the Chamber meets immediately and by virtue ofthe law to elect a successor. If the Chamber happens to be dissolved at the timethe vacancy occurs, the electoral bodies are convened without delay and, as soonas the elections have taken place, the Chamber meets by virtue of the law.
Article 75
The Chamber meeting to elect the President of the Republic is considered anelectoral body and not a legislative assembly. It must proceed immediately,without discussion or any other act, to elect the Head of the State.
[Chapter] II. Amending the Constitution
Article 76 [Proposal]
The constitution may be revised upon the proposal of the President of theRepublic. In such a case the Government submits a draft law to the Chamber ofDeputies.
Article 77 [Request]
The constitution may also be revised upon the request of the Chamber of Deputies.In this case the following procedures are to be observed:
During an ordinary session and at the request of at least ten of its members,the Chamber of Deputies may recommend, by a majority of two thirds of the totalmembers lawfully composing the Chamber, the revision of the constitution.
However, the articles and the questions referred to in the recommendation mustbe clearly defined and specified. The President of the Chamber then transmitsthe recommendation to the Government requesting it to prepare a draft lawrelating thereto. If the Government approves the recommendation of the Chamberby a majority of two thirds, it must prepare the draft amendment and submit itto the Chamber within four months; it it does not agree, it shall return theDecision to the Chamber for reconsideration. If the Chamber insists upon thenecessity of the amendment by a majority of three fourths of the total memberslawfully composing the Chamber, the President of the Republic has then either toaccede to the Chamber's recommendation or to ask the Council of Ministers todissolve the Chamber and to hold new elections within three months. If the newChamber insists on the necessity of amending the constitution, the Governmentmust yield and submit the draft amendment within four months.
Article 78 [Priority]
When a draft law dealing with a constitutional amendment is submitted to theChamber, it must confine itself to its discussion before any other work until afinal vote is taken. It may discuss and vote only on articles and questionsclearly enumerated and defined in the draft submitted to it.
Article 79 [Majority, Promulgation]
(1) When a draft law dealing with a constitutional amendment is submitted to theChamber, it cannot discuss it or vote upon it except when a majority of twothirds of the members lawfully composing the Chamber are present. Voting is bythe same majority.
(2) The President of the Republic is required to promulgate the law of theconstitutional amendment under the same conditions and in the same form asordinary laws. He has the right, within the period established for thepromulgation, to ask the Chamber to reconsider the draft, after consultationwith the council of Ministers, in which case the vote is by a majority of twothirds.
[Part] D. Miscellaneous Provisions
[Chapter] I. The Supreme Council
Article 80 [Function, Composition, Organizational Law]
The Supreme Council, whose function is to try Presidents and Ministers, consistsof seven deputies elected by the Chamber of Deputies and of eight of the highestLebanese judges, according to their rank in the judicial hierarchy, or, in caseof equal ranks, in the order of seniority. They meet under the presidency of thejudge of the highest rank. The Decisions of condemnation by the Supreme Councilis rendered by a majority of ten votes. A special law is to be issued todetermine the procedure to be followed by this Council.
Article 81 [Integral Tax Law]
No public taxes may be imposed and no new taxes established or collected in theLebanese Republic except by a comprehensive law which applies to the entireLebanese territory without exception.
Article 82 [Rule of Law]
No tax may be modified or abolished except by virtue of law.
Article 83 [Yearly Budget]
Each year at the beginning of the October session, the Government has to submitto the Chamber of Deputies the general budget estimates of state expendituresand revenues for the following year. The budget is voted upon article by article.
Article 84 [Budget Discussion]
During the discussion of the budget and draft laws involving the opening ofsupplementary or extraordinary credits, the Chamber may not increase the creditsproposed in the budget or in the draft laws mentioned above either by way ofamendment Or by means of a proposal. The Chamber may, however, adopt, by way ofproposal, laws involving further expenditures after
the close of this discussion.
Article 85 [Extraordinary Credit]
No extraordinary credit may be opened except by a special law. Nevertheless,should unforseen circumstances render urgent expenditures necessary, thePresident of the Republic may issue a Decree, based on a Decision of the Councilor Ministers, to open extraordinary or supplementary credits or transferappropriations in the budget as long as these credits do not exceed a maximumlimit specified in the budget law. These measures are to be submitted to theChamber for approval at the first ensuing session.
Article 86 [Provisional Budget]
If the Chamber of Deputies has not given a final decision on the budgetestimates before the expiration of the session devoted to the examination of thebudget, the President of the Republic, in coordination with the Prime Minister,immediately convenes the Chamber for an extraordinary session which lasts untilthe end of January in order to continue the discussion of the budget; if,
at the end of this extraordinary session, the budget estimates have not beenfinally settled, the Council of Ministers may take a decision on the basis ofwhich a decree is issued by the President giving effect to the above estimatesin the form in which they were submitted to the Chamber. However, the Council ofMinisters may not exercise this right unless the budget estimates were submittedto the Chamber at least fifteen days before the commencement of its session.Nevertheless, during the said extraordinary session, taxes, charges, duties,imposts, and other kinds of revenues continue to be collected as before. Thebudget of the previous year is adopted as a basis. To this must be added thepermanent credits which have been dropped, and the Government fixes theexpenditures for the month of January on the basis of the 'provisional twelfth.'
Article 87 [Final Financial Accounts, Auditing Bureau]
The final financial accounts of the administration for each year must besubmitted to the Chamber for approval before the promulgation of the budget ofthe year following. A special law is to be issued for the setting up of anAuditing Bureau.
Article 88 [Public Loan]
No public loan or undertaking involving an expenditure from the treasury fundsmay be contracted except by virtue of a law.
Article 89 [Contracts, Concessions, Resources, Monpolies]
No contract or concession for the exploitation of the natural resources of thecountry, or a public utility service, or a monopoly may be granted except byvirtue of a law and for a limited period.
[Part] E. Provisions Relating to the Mandatory Power andthe Leage of Nations
Article 90 [...]
{Abolished in 1943}
Article 91 [...]
{Abolished in 1943}
Article 92 [...]
{Abolished in 1943}
Article 93 [...]
{Abolished in 1947}
Article 94 [...]
{Abolished in 1943}
[Part] F. On the Abolition of Political Confessionalism
Article 95 [National Committee]
(1) The first Chamber or Deputies which is elected on the basis of equalitybetween Muslims and Christians takes the appropriate measures to realize theabolition of political confessionalism according to a transitional plan. ANational Committee is to be formed, headed by the President of the Republic,including, in addition to the President of the Chamber of Deputies and the PrimeMinister, leading political, intellectual, and social figures.
(2) The tasks of this Committee are to study and propose the means to ensure theabolition of confessionalism, propose them to the Chamber of Deputies and theMinisters, and supervise the execution of the transitional plan.
(3) During the transitional phase:
a. The confessional groups are to be represented in a just and equitable fashionin the formation of the Cabinet.
b. The principle of confessional representation in public service
jobs, in the judiciary, in the military and security institutions, and in publicand mixed agencies are to be cancelled in accordance with the requirements ofnational reconciliation; they shall be replaced by the principle of expertiseand competence. However, Grade One posts and their equivalents are exempt fromthis rule, and the posts must be distributed equally between Christians andMuslims without reserving any particular job for any confessional group butrather applying the principles of expertise and competence.
[Part] G. Provisions Relating to the Election andFunctions of the Senate
Article 96 [...]
{Abolished in 1947}
Article 97 [...]
{Abolished in 1947}
Article 98 [...]
{Abolished in 1947}
Article 99 [...]
{Abolished in 1947}
Article 100 [...]
{Abolished in 1947}
[Part] H. Additional Provisions
Article 101 [Greater Lebanon, The Lebanese Republic]
Beginning 1 Sep 1929, the state of 'Greater Lebanon' is to be known as 'TheLebanese Republic' without any other change or modification.
Article 102 [Abrogation of Old Laws]
All legislative provisions contrary to the present constitution are abrogated.
First, General Principles and Reforms:I. General Principles: A. Lebanon is a sovereign, free, and independent country and a final homeland for all its citizens. B. Lebanon is Arab in belonging and identity. It is an active and founding member of the Arab League and is committed to the league's charter. It is an active and founding member of the United Nations Organization and is committed to its charters. Lebanon is a member of the nonaligned movement. The state of Lebanon shall embody these principles in all areas and spheres, without exception. C. Lebanon is a democratic parliamentary republic founded on respect for public liberties, especially the freedom of expression and belief, on social justice, and on equality in rights and duties among all citizens, without discrimination or preference. D. The people are the source of authority. They are sovreign and they shall exercise their sovreignty through the constitutional institutions. E. The economic system is a free system that guarantees individual initiative and private ownership. F. Culturally, socially, and economically-balanced development is a mainstay of the state's unity and of the system's stability. G. Efforts (will be made) to achieve comprehensive social justice through fiscal, economic, and social reform. H. Lebanon's soil is united and it belongs to all the Lebanese. Every Lebanese is entitled to live in and enjoy any part of the country under the supremacy of the law. The people may not be categorized on the basis of any affiliation whatsoever and there shall be no fragmentation, no partition, and no repatriation [of Palestinians in Lebanon]. I. No authority violating the common co-existance charter shall be legitimate II. Political Reforms A. Chamber of Deputies: The Chamber of Deputies is the legislative authority which exercises full control over government policy and activities. 1. The Chamber spokesman and his deputy shall be elected for the duration of the chamber's term. 2. In the first session, two years after it elects its speaker and deputy speaker, the chamber my vote only once to withdraw confidence from its speaker or deputy speaker with a 2/3 majority of its members and in accordance with a petition submitted by at least 10 deputies. In case confidence is withdrawn, the chamber shall convene immediately to fill the vacant post. 3. No urgent bill presented to the Chamber of Deputies may be issued unless it is included in the agenda of a public session and read in such a session, and unless the grace period stipulated by the constitution passes without a resolution on such a bill with the approval of the cabinet. 4. The electoral district shall be the governorate. 5. Until the Chamber of Deputies passes an election law free of secterian restriction, the parliamentary seats shall be divided according to the following bases: a. Equally between Christians and Muslims. b. Proportionately between the denominations of each sect. c. Proportionately between the districts. 6. The number of members of the Chamber of Deputies shall be increased to 108, shared equally between Christians and Muslims. As for the districts created on the basis of this document and the districts whose seats became vacant prior to the proclamation of this document, their seats shall be filled only once on an emergency basis through appointment by the national accord government that is planned to be formed. 7. With the election of the first Chamber of Deputies on a national, not secterian, basis, a senate shall be formed and all the spiritual families shall be represented in it. The senate powers shall be confined to crucial issues. B. President of Republic: The president of republic is the head of the state and a symbol of the country's unity. He shall contribute to enhancing the constitution and to preserving Lebanon's independence, unity, and territorial integrity in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. He is the supreme commander of the armed forces which are subject to the power of the cabinet. The president shall exercise the following powers: 1. Head the cabinet [meeting] whenever he wishes, but without voting. 2. Head the Supreme Defense Council. 3. Issues decrees and demand their publication. He shall also be entitled to ask the cabinet to reconsider any resolution it makes within 15 days of the date of depostion of the resolution with the presidential office. Should the cabinet insist on the adopted resolution, or should the grace period pass without issuing and returning the decree, the decree of the resolution shall be valid and must be published. 4. Promulgate laws in accordance with the grace period stipulated by the constitution and demand their publication upon ratification by the Chamber of Deputies. After notifying the cabinet, the president may also request reexamination of the laws within the grace periods provided by the constitution, and in accordance with the articles of the constitution. In case the laws are not issued or returned before the end of the grace periods, they shall be valid by law and they must be published. 5. Refer the bills presented to him by the Chamber of Deputies. 6. Name the prime minister-designate in consultation with the Chamber of Deputies speaker on the basis of binding parliamentary consultation, the outcome of which the president shall officially familiarize the speaker on. 7. Issue the decree appointing the prime minister independently. 8. On agreement with the prime minister, issue the decree forming the cabinet. 9. Issue decrees accepting the resignation of the cabinet or of cabinet ministers and decrees relieving them from their duties. 10. Appoint ambassadors, accept the accreditation of ambassadors, and award state medals by decree. 11. On agreement with the prime minister, negotiate on the conclusion and signing of international treaties which shall become valid only upon approval by the cabinet. The cabinet shall familiariaze the Chamber of Deputies with such treaties when the country's interest and state safety make such familiarization possible. As for treaties involving conditions concerning state finances, trade treaties, and other treaties which may not be abrogated annually, they may not be concluded without Chamber of Deputies' approval. 12. When the need arises, address messages to the Chamber of Deputies. 13. On agreement with the prime minister, summon the Chamber of Deputies to hold special sessions by decree. 14. The president of the republic is entitled to present to the cabinet any urgent issue beyond the agenda. 15. On agreement with the prime minister, call the cabinet to hold a special session whenever he deems it necessary. 16. Grant special pardon by decree. 17. In the performance of his duty, the president shall not be liable unless he violates the constitution or commits high treason. C. Prime Minister: The prime minister is the head of the government. He represents it and speaks in its name. He is responsible for implementing the general policy drafted by the cabinet. The prime minister shall exercise the following powers: 1. Head the cabinet. 2. Hold parliamentary consultations to form the cabinet and co-sign with the president the decree forming it. The cabinet shall submit its cabinet statement to the Chamber of Deputies for a vote of confidence within 30 days [of its formation]. The cabinet may not exercise its powers before gaining the confidence, after its resignation, or when it is considered retired, except within the narrow sense of disposing of affairs. 3. Present the government's general policy to the Chamber of Deputies. 4. Sign all decrees, except for decrees naming the prime minister and decrees accepting cabinet resignation or considering it retired. 5. Sign the decree calling for a special session and decrees issuing laws and requesting the reexamination of laws. 6. Summon the cabinet to meet, draft its agenda, familiarize the president of the republic in advance with the issues included in the agenda and with the urgent issues to be discussed, and sign the usual session minutes. 7. Observe the activities of the public departments and institutions, coordinate between the ministers, and issue general instructions to ensure the smooth progress of work. 8. Hold working sessions with the state agencies concerned in the presence of the minister concerned. 9. By law, act as the Supreme Defense Council's deputy chairman. D. Cabinet: [ No item 1. as published ] 2. Watch over the implementation of laws and regulations and supervise the activities of all the state agencies without exception, including the civilian, military, and security departments and institutions. 3. The cabinet is the authority which controls the armed forces. 4. Appoint, dismiss, and accept the resignation of state employees in accordance with the law. 5. It has the right to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies at the request of the president of the republic if the chamber refuses to meet throughout an ordinary or a special session lasting no less than one month, even though it is summoned twice consecutively, or if the chamber sends back the budget in its entirety with the purpose of paralyzing the government. This right may not be exercised again for the same reasons which called for dissolving the chamber in the first instance. 6. When the president of the republic is present, he heads cabinet sessions. The cabinet shall meet periodically at special headquarters. The legal quorum for a cabinet meeting is 2/3 the cabinet members. The cabinet shall adopt its resolutions by consent. If impossible, then by vote. The resolutions shall be adopted by a majority of the members present. As for major issues, they require the approval of 2/3 the cabinet members. The following shall be considered major issues: The state of emergency and it abolition, war and peace, general mobilization, international agreements and treaties, the state's general budget, comprehensive and long-term development plans, the appointment of top-level civil servants or their equivalent, reexamination of the administrative division, dissolving the Chamber of Deputies, the election law, the citizenship law, the personal status laws, and the dismissal of cabinet ministers. E. Minister: The minister's powers shall be reinforced in a manner compatible with the government's general policiy and with the principle of collective responsibility. A minister shall not be relieved from his position unless by cabinet decree or unless the Chamber of Deputies withraws its confidence from him individually. F. Cabinet Resignation, Considering Cabinet Retired, and Dismissal of Ministers: 1. The cabinet shall be considered retired in the following cases: a. If its chairman resigns. b. If it looses more than 1/3 of its members as determined by the decree forming it. c. If its chairman dies. d. At the beginning of a president's term. e. At the beginning of the Chamber of Deputies' term. f. When the Chamber of Deputies withdraws its confidence from it on an initiative by the chamber itself and on the basis of a vote of confidence. 2. A minister shall be relieved by a decree signed by the president of the republic and the prime minister, with cabinet approval. 3. When the cabinet resigns or is considered retired, the Chamber of Deputies shall, by law, be considered to be convened in a special session until a new cabinet is formed. A vote-of-confidence session shall follow. G. Abolition of Political Secterianism: Abolishing political secterianism is a fundamental national objective. To achieve it, it is required that efforts be made in accordance with a phased plan. The Chamber of Deputies electedon the basis of equal sharing by Christians and Muslims shall adopt the proper measures to achieve this objective and to form a national council which is headed by the president of the republic and which includes, in addition to the prime minister and the Chamber of Deputies speaker, political, intellectual, and social notables. The council's task will be to examine and propose the means capable of abolishing sectarianism, to present them to the Chamber of Deputies and the cabinet, and to observe implementation of the phased plan. The following shall be done in the interim period: a. Abolish the sectarian representation base and rely on capability and specialization in public jobs, the judiciary, the military, security, public, and joint institutions, and in the independent agencies in accordance with the dictates of national accord, excluding the top-level jobs and equivalent jobs which shall be shared equally by Christians and Muslims without allocating any particular job to any sect. b. Abolish the mention of sect and denomination on the identity card.III. Other Reforms: A. Administrative Decentralism: 1. The State of Lebanon shall be a single and united state with a strong central authority. 2. The powers of the governors and district administrative officers shall be expanded and all state administartions shall be represented in the administrative provinces at the highest level possible so as to facilitate serving the citizens and meeting their needs locally. 3. The administrative division shall be recognized in a manner that emphasizes national fusion within the framework of preserving common coexistance and unity of the soil, people, and institutions. 4. Expanded administrative decentralization shall be adopted at the level of the smaller administrative units [ district and smaller units ] through the election of a council, headed by the district officer, in every district, to ensure local participation. 5. A comprehensive and unified development plan capable of developing the provinces economically and socially shall be adopted and the resources of the municipalities, unified municipalities, and municipal unions shall be reinforced with the necessary financial resources. B. Courts: [1] To guarantee that all officials and citizens are subject to the supremacy of the law and to insure harmony between the action of the legislative and executive authorities on the one hand, and the givens of common coexistance and the basic rights of the Lebanese as stipulated in the constitution on the other hand: 1. The higher council which is stipulated by the constitution and whose task it is to try presidents and ministers shall be formed. A special law on the rules of trial before this council shall be promulgated. 2. A constitutional council shall be created to interpret the constitution, to observe the constitutionality of the laws, and to settle disputes and contests emanating from presidential and parliamentary elections. 3. The following authorities shall be entitled to revise the constitutional council in matters pertaining to interpreting the constitution and observing the constitutionality of the laws: a. The president of the republic. b. The Chamber of Deputies speaker. c. The prime minister. d. A certain percentage of members of the Chamber of Deputies. [2] To ensure the principle of harmony between religion and state, the heads of the Lebanese sects may revise the constitutional council in matters pertaining to: 1. Personal status affairs. 2. Freedom of religion and the practice of religious rites. 3. Freedom of religious education. C. To ensure the judiciary's independence, a certain number of the the Higher Judiciary Council shall be elected by the judiciary body. D. Parliamentary Election Law: Parliamentary elections shall be held in accordance with a new law on the basis of provinces and in the light of rules that guarantee common coexistance between the Lebanese, and that ensure the sound and efficient political representation of all the people's factions and generations. This shall be done after reviewing the administrative division within the context of unity of the people, the land, and the institutions. E. Creation of a socioeconomic council for development: A socioeconomic council shall be created to insure that representatives of the various sectors participate in drafting the state's socioeconomic policy and providing advice and proposals. F. Education: 1. Education shall be provided to all and shall be made obligatory for the elementary stage at least. 2. The freedom of education shall be emphasized in accordance with general laws and regulations. 3. Private education shall be protected and state control over private schools and textbooks shall be strengthened. 4. Official, vocational, and technological education shall be reformed, strengthened, and developed in a manner that meets the country's development and reconstruction needs. The conditions of the Lebanese University shall be reformed and aid shall be provided to the university, especially to its technical colleges. 5. The curricula shall be reviewed and developed in a manner that strengthens national belonging, fusion, spiritual and cultural openness, and that unifies textbooks on the subjects of history and national education. G. Information: All the information media shall be reorganized under the canopy of the law and within the framework of responsible liberties that serve the cautious tendencies and the objective of ending the state of war.Second, spreading the sovereignty of the State of Lebanon ovel all Lebaneseterritories: Considering that all Lebanese factions have agreed to the establishment of a strong state founded on the basis of national accord, the national accord government shall draft a detailed one-year plan whose objectiveis to spread the sovereignty of the State of Lebanon over all Lebanese territories gradually with the state's own forces. The broad lines of the plan shall be as follows: A. Disbanding of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias shall be announced. The militias' weapons shall be delivered to the State of Lebanon within a period of 6 months, beginning with the approval of the national accord charter. The president of the republic shall be elected. A national accord cabinet shall be formed, and the political reforms shall be approved constitutionally. B. The internal security forces shall be strengthened through: 1. Opening the door of voluntarism to all the Lebanese without exception, beginning the training of volunteers centrally, distributing the volunteers to the units in the governorates, and subjecting them to organized periodic training courses. 2. Strengthening the security agency to insure control over the entry and departure of individuals into and out of the country by land, air, and sea. C. Strengthening the armed forces: 1. The fundamental task of the armed forces is to defend the homeland, and if necessary, protect public order when the danger exceeds the capability of the internal security forces to deal with such a danger on their own. 2. The armed forces shall be used to support the internal security forces in preserving security under conditions determined by the cabinet. 3. The armed forces shall be unified, prepared, and trained in order that they may be able to shoulder their national responsibilities in confronting Israeli aggression. 4. When the internal security forces become ready to assume their security tasks, the armed forces shall return to their barracks. 5. The armed forces intelligence shall be reorganized to serve military objectives exclusively. D. The problem of the Lebanese evacuees shall be solved fundamentally, and the right of every Lebanese evicted since 1975 to return to the place from which he was evicted shall be established. Legistlation to guarantee this right and to insure the means of reconstruction shall be issued. Considering that the objective of the State of Lebanon is to spread its authority over all the Lebanese territories through its own forces, represented primarily by the internal security forces, and in view of the fraternal relations binding Syria to Lebanon, the Syrian forces shall thankfully assist the forces of the legitimate Lebanese government to spread the authority of the State of Lebanon within a set period of no more than 2 years, beginning with ratification of the national accord charter, election of the president of the republic, formation of the national accord cabinet, and approval of the political reforms constitutionally. At the end of this period, the two governments -- the Syrian Government and the Lebanese National Accord Government -- shall decide to redeploy the Syrian forces in Al-Biq'a area from Dahr al-Baydar to the Hammana-al-Mudayrij-'Ayn Darah line, and if necessary, at other points to be determined by a joint Lebanese-Syrian military committee. An agreement shall also be concluded by the two governments to determine the strength and duration of the presence of Syrian forces in the above-mentioned area and to define these forces' relationship with the Lebanese state authorities where the forces exist. The Arab Tripartite Committee is prepared to assist the two states, if they so wish, to develop this agreement.Third, liberating Lebanon from the Israeli occupation: Regaining state authorityover the territories extending to the internationally-recognized Lebanese borders requires the following: A. Efforts to implement resolution 425 and the other UN Security Council resolutions calling for fully eliminating the Israeli occupation. B. Adherence to the truce agreement concluded on 23 March 1949. C. Taking all the steps necessary to liberate all Lebanese territories from the Israeli occupation, to spread state sovereignty over all the territories, and to deploy the Lebanese army in the border area adjacent to Israel; and making efforts to reinforce the presence of the UN forces in South Lebanon to insure the Israeli withdawl and to provide the opportunity for the return of security and stability to the border area.Fourth, Lebanese-Syrian Relations: Lebanon, with its Arab identity, is tied toall the Arab countries by true fraternal relations. Between Lebanon and Syriathere is a special relationship that derives its strength from the roots of blood relationships, history, and joint fraternal interests. This is the concepton which the two countries' coordination and cooperation is founded, and whichwill be embodied by the agreements between the two countries in all areas, in amanner that accomplishes the two fraternal countries' interests within theframework of the sovereignty and independence of each of them. Therefore, and because strengthening the bases of security creates the climate needed to develop these bonds, Lebanon should not be allowed to constitute a source ofthreat to Syria's security, and Syria should not be allowed to constitute a source of threat to Lebanon's security under any circumstances. Consequently,Lebanon should not allow itself to become a pathway or a base for any force,state, or organization seeking to undermine its security or Syria's security.Syria, which is eager for Lebanon's security, independence, and unity and forharmony among its citizens, should not permit any act that poses a threat toLebanon's security, independence, and sovereignty.
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Source:http://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/law/info.html ICL - International Constitutional Law
On Monday, 3rd November 1969, theLebanese delegation headed by Army Commander General Emile al-Bustani, and thePalestine Liberation Organization delegation, headed by Mr. Yasir 'Arafat,chairman of the organization, met in Cairo in the presence of the United ArabRepublic Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmud Riyad, and the War Minister, GeneralMuhammad Fawzi.
In consonance with the bonds ofbrotherhood and common destiny, relations between Lebanon and the Palestinianrevolution must always be conducted on the bases of confidence, frankness, andpositive cooperation for the benefit of Lebanon and the Palestinian revolutionand within the framework of Lebanon's sovereignty and security. The twodelegations agreed on the following principles and measures:
The Palestinian Presence
It was agreed to reorganize thePalestinian presence in Lebanon on the following bases:
1. The right to work, residence, andmovement for Palestinians currently residing in Lebanon;
2. The formation of local committeescomposed of Palestinians in the camps to care for the interests of Palestiniansresiding in these camps in cooperation with the local Lebanese authoritieswithin the framework of Lebanese sovereignty;
3. The establishment of posts of thePalestinian Armed Struggle [PASC] inside the camps for the purpose ofcooperation with the local committees to ensure good relations with the Lebaneseauthorities. These posts shall undertake the task of regulating and determiningthe presence of arms in the camps within the framework of Lebanese security andthe interests of the Palestinian revolution;
4. Palestinians resident in Lebanon areto be permitted to participate in the Palestinian revolution through the ArmedStruggle and in accordance with the principles of the sovereignty and securityof Lebanon.
Commando Activity
It was agreed to facilitate commandoactivity by means of:
1. Facilitating the passage ofcommandos and specifying points of passage and reconnaissance in the borderareas;
2. Safeguarding the road to the 'Arqubregion;
3. The Armed Struggle shall undertaketo control the conduct of all the members of its organizations and [to ensure]their non-interference in Lebanese affairs;
4. Establishing a joint command controlof the Armed Struggle and the Lebanese Army;
5. Ending the propaganda campaigns byboth sides;
6. Conducting a census of ArmedStruggle personnel in Lebanon by their command.
7. Appointing Armed Strugglerepresentatives at Lebanese Army headquarters to participate in the resolutionof all emergency matters;
8. Studying the distribution of allsuitable points of concentration in border areas which will be agreed with theLebanese Army command;
9. Regulating the entry, exit, andcirculation of Armed Struggle personnel;
10. Removal of the Jiyrun base.
11. The Lebanese Army shall facilitatethe operation of medical, evacuation, and supply centers for commando activity;
12. Releasing detained personnel andconfiscated arms;
13. It is understood that the Lebaneseauthorities, both civil and military, shall continue to exercise all theirprerogatives and responsibilities in all areas of Lebanon in all circumstances;
14. The two delegations affirm that thePalestinian armed struggle is in the interest of Lebanon as well as in that ofthe Palestinian revolution and all Arabs;
15. This agreement shall remain TopSecret and for the eyes of the commands only.
Head of Lebanese delegation
Emile Bustani
Head of Palestinian delegation
Yasir 'Arafat
Resolution adopted by the LebaneseChamber of Deputies, 21 May 1987
1. Abrogation of the law issued by theChamber of Deputies on 14 June 1983, authorizing the Government to ratify theagreement signed by the Government of the Lebanese Republic and the Governmentof the State of Israel on 17 May 1983.
2. The agreement signed on 3 November1969 between the head of the Lebanese delegation General Emile Bustani and theChairman of the PLO and which is known as the "Cairo Agreement" ishereby null and void as if it had never existed. Further, all annexes andmeasures related to the Cairo Agreement are hereby null and void as if they hadnever existed.
3. This law will become effective uponits publication in the Official Gazette
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Source: LebaneseForces Official Website - http://www.lebanese-forces.org