Lebanon’s Parliament on Tuesday abolished the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour. A majority of the 128-member legislature approved the move, making Lebanon the first Arab country to end capital punishment. Justice Minister Adel Nassar called it a historic step, while rights groups welcomed the decision after a long unofficial moratorium.

Lebanon’s parliament on Tuesday abolished the death penalty, making the country the first in the Arab world to replace capital punishment with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour.

A majority of the 128-member parliament voted to end the death penalty, with Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc opposing the move. Justice Minister Adel Nassar, who was present in Parliament, described the decision as a “historic step” for Lebanon.

Two-decade moratorium formalised

Lebanon has observed an unofficial moratorium on executions since January 2004. However, dozens of death sentences have been handed down since then, only to be subsequently suspended or commuted.