Lebanon's MPs shocked over 'unannounced salary donation' to army

Nabih Berry, speaker of the Lebanese parliament deducted LBP5,000,000 from MPs salaries to give to the army without informing the lawmakers.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab

05 October, 2016

There have been a number of protests recently against corruption in the Lebanese parliament [Anadolu]

The speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berry, has deducted five million Lebanese pounds ($3320) from the monthly salary of every Lebanese MP, without informing the lawmakers.

Lebanon's LBC reported that some MPs are angry over the pay-cuts and are reliant on their salaries and will find it difficult to survive on the pay-cut.

"Our duty is to the Lebanese army, but don't think that all MP's are well off. Some of them are, but some of them less so," Badr Wannous MP said.

Mohammed Qabbani MP said: "I understand that some MPs have financial troubles, but this is a simple and important issue and it's a symbolic sacrifice."

Many people have supported the move, with some suggesting that the cuts don't go far enough.

Twitter Post

Translation: Half of the MP's salaries for the military - they deserve more! Speaker Nabih Berri decided to support the Lebanese army.

MPs voted to increase their salaries to LL12,750,000 ($8,500) a month in September 2012. According to the World Bank, the average salary in Lebanon has remained at $14,000 a year.

The European Union voiced their concern in 2014 against the parliament's decision to delay elections by three years, calling it unconstitutional.