Is the State of Emergency Declaration now an option in Lebanon?

Following the recent security incidents that rocked Lebanon including road cut-offs, tire burning, military wings, abductions and incidents in Tripoli, many found it easy to call for the declaration of a state of emergency in the Lebanon, not knowing what it entitles exactly.       

According to the Legislative Decree No.52, issued on 5/8/1967, the state of emergency is declared when the country is exposed to imminent danger resulting from an armed revolution, a natural or man-made disaster, civil unrest, or following a declaration of war or situation of international or internal armed conflict. In these cases, military and security apparatuses handle the country’s security and are given additional prerogatives for a temporary period of time set by the law.      

However, in most cases, these prerogatives suspend citizen’s rights and liberties, and include confiscations, house investigations, curfew and censorship of the press, TVs and publications.  

In this regard, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel told LBCI that nothing requires the declaration of a state of emergency as long as all parties are being responsive. Charbel stressed that the army and the security apparatuses are doing a great job in Tripoli and all across the country.          

It is noteworthy that throughout history, the state of emergency was declared in Lebanon more than once:

- On October 31, 1956 during President Kamil Chamoun’s tenure.

- During President Charles Helou’s tenure, the state of emergency was declared twice, on June 5, 1967 and on April 23, 1969.

- It was also declared twice during the tenure of President Sleiman Frangieh on September 16, 1972 and May 7, 1973.


For the full LBCI report, watch the video above.