Parliament forms subcommittee to review immunity request; general session scheduled for July 15
The meeting was attended by MPs George Adwan, Hadi Aboul Hosn, Alain Aoun, Abdel Karim Kabbara, Hussein Hajj Hassan, Ghazi Zeaiter, Ghada Ayoub, Ashraf Baydoun, Ali Khreis, Ali Hassan Khalil, Hassan Ezzeddine, Michel Moussa, Marwan Hamadeh, Osama Saad, Imad Al-Hout, George Atallah, Hagop Pakradounian, Qabalan Qabalan, George Okais, and Secretary General of Parliament Adnan Daher.
Following deliberations, Daher announced that in accordance with Articles 92 and 93 of the Rules of Procedure, a subcommittee was formed to draft the required report regarding the request submitted by the Minister of Justice and the Public Prosecution Office to lift immunity from MP Georges Bouchikian.
Separately, Speaker Berri called for a general parliamentary session on Tuesday, July 15, at 11:00 a.m. and in the afternoon, to question the government on its general policies, in line with Articles 136 and 137 of the Rules of Procedure.
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Minister of Information Paul Morcos emphasized that 'with the death of artist Ziad Rahbani, Lebanon and the world have lost a pillar of creative, pioneering and exceptional Lebanese art.' Marada leader Sleiman Frangié stated that 'today, Lebanon loses a genius who dedicated his life, his art, his music, his theater, and his critique to the homeland that defined him.' MP Paula Yaacoubian said that 'Ziad was not simply an artist — he was the mirror of a broken country and the voice of those who had none.' Many artists also mourned his passing. 'A genius from my country has gone. A respectful tribute to your creativity,' wrote Majida al Roumi, paying homage to his 'rebellious' spirit. 'Ziad the genius is gone, Ziad the creative is gone. Your works will remain eternal, and your great art will live on in hearts and minds across generations,' lamented Syrian singer Georges Wassouf. 'Why do I feel like everything is lost, like Lebanon is empty?' wondered actress Carmen Lebbos. 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After studying at College Notre-Dame de Jamhour, run by Jesuit fathers, Ziad Rahbani, born in 1956, launched his artistic career in the early 1970s with the play 'Sahriye' (e vening), which was followed by several other plays offering sharp critiques of Lebanese society. He also composed a number of hit songs for Fairouz. Ziad Rahbani was known for his communist political views and his offbeat humor, which made him an icon of the Lebanese cultural and artistic scene.
