US report on Lebanon cites political interference with courts, widespread official corruption

The U.S. department of state has stressed, in a report on Human Rights Practices, significant human rights issues in Lebanon.

The report cited "serious political interference with the judiciary" and "serious high-level and widespread official corruption."

It also mentioned "serious restrictions on free expression and media; violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex persons; and the existence of the worst forms of child labor."

"Although the legal structure provides for prosecution and punishment of officials who committed human rights abuses and corruption, enforcement remained a problem, and government officials enjoyed a measure of impunity for human rights abuses, including evading or influencing judicial processes," the report said.

The report also cited "unofficial detention facilities by Hizbullah, the assassination of Hizbullah critic Lokman Slim, armed clashes between the group and Khaldeh Arab tribes, and killing of former prime minister Rafik Hariri."