Miqati Rejects Tampering with Freedom of Expression of MPs

Prime Minister Najib Miqati called on Tuesday for the impartiality of the judiciary and stressed that the freedom of expression of lawmakers shouldn't be targeted.

“We reiterate our call to keep the Lebanese judiciary away from the political differences and stress that it should be allowed to carry out its work with absolute impartiality away from any sort of influence,” Miqati told a delegation visiting him at the Grand Serail.

Yet “the freedom of expression granted to lawmakers should not be tampered with,” he said.

Miqati was referring to the recent request of General Prosecutor Hatem Madi to lift the immunity off March 14 opposition MP Butros Harb for insulting President Michel Suleiman and the judiciary.

Harb has described the request as “ridiculous” and “fabricated.”

The MP had told several media outlets that Suleiman's intervention in the case of a plot to assassinate him helped Madi charge Mahmoud Hayek, a Hizbullah member.

Harb also said that Hizbullah had tried to negotiate with the judiciary to allow Hayek, who was charged last week with the July 2012 attempt on his life, to give his testimony and then be released.

In his remarks, Miqati reiterated his support for the Lebanese army, whose patrol was ambushed in the eastern border town of Arsal last Friday leaving two soldiers dead.

“We reject the attack against it from any side it came,” the prime minister said.

Miqati later visited President Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace to discuss with him the measures taken by the army in Arsal.