Harb holds cabinet responsible for any future crime in Lebanon

MP Boutros Harb announced on Tuesday that the data-related decision taken during the Monday cabinet session “encourages further criminal activity in Lebanon”.      

During a press conference, Harb explained that providing the IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) does not allow access to the privacy of people as claimed by some, but rather facilitates the investigation process.    

“The justification given by some ministers during the cabinet session is irrelevant”, he stressed.

Harb held the cabinet responsible for any crime which takes place in the country from hereon after,  stressing that the "public should know that the government is responsible for their security or lack of thereof".    

“The government's policy acts as an accomplice in this crime”, he said, adding that Lebanon will subsequently turn to a “criminal's paradise” due to this policy.      
Harb went on to voice fear for the democratic life in ‪Lebanon, especially ‪for the safety of the March14 leaders and officials.      

“We are targeted because of our beliefs in freedom, sovereignty and independence. We are the guardians of the temple”, he elaborated.

“Regardless of what they do, we will not change our [beliefs]; we will rather cling on to them since they defend the people’s right to live in dignity”, he stressed.

Telecommunications Minister Nicolas Sehnaoui later explained that the cabinet’s IMSI-related decision taken during the Tuesday session aims at protecting the privacy of the people.