Civil society movement to launch anti-corruption observatory in Lebanon

Lebanon's We Want Accountability movement announced on Saturday during a demonstration in the capital city of Beirut that the civil society movement has launched a people's anti-corruption observatory.

Activist lawyer Wasef al-Harakeh announced that the movement will "provide a comprehensive framework and specific mechanisms for holding the corrupt accountable". 

In a press release, the movement said "to combat corruption we must hold Lebanon's ruling authority accountable over the embezzlement of public money and the lack of transparency.

"We know it will be a tough battle to fight, a long and dangerous one, because it will reach those in positions of power."

Activists gathered outside the Central Inspection Bureau in the Verdun District of the city demanding that the bureau play a more proactive role in fighting corruption, the National News Agency reported.

Protesters held signs and shouted slogans denouncing the misuse of public funds, corruption in governmental bodies and the lack of transparency.

"Where is the justice system that does not indict the head of the Central Inspection Bureau for failing to do his job?" a demonstrator asked.

The We Want Accountability movement has been a driving force behind several protests in Lebanon since 2015. 

The movement gained traction following their call to hold Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk and the police force responsible over excessive violence by security officers against protesters during last year's garbage crisis demonstrations.