The Lebanese American Coordinating Committee (LACC) warned against any maneuver that would suppress the voice of expatriates, as it “represents a broader pattern of foreign interference, corruption, and institutional collapse,” noting that “limiting expatriate voting to six vague ‘continental’ seats effectively silences hundreds of thousands of Lebanese abroad.” The LACC recalled that “any U.S. assistance to Lebanon must be conditioned on tangible political and institutional reforms and the full restoration of Lebanese sovereignty,” and renewed its call on Speaker Nabih Berri to “immediately allow the urgent amendment to abolish Article 122 to be put to a vote in Parliament, in line with the will of the majority and procedural rules.”
This came in a statement by the Committee issued today in Beirut and Washington. The statement read:
“The Lebanese American Coordinating Committee (LACC) strongly condemns the actions of Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri in obstructing an amendment supported by the majority to restore full voting rights for Lebanese expatriates. His refusal to include an urgent proposal, signed by more than half of the members of the Lebanese Parliament, on the agenda of the general assembly is yet another sign of his undemocratic behavior and his willingness to undermine legislative norms in order to preserve Hezbollah’s unlawful influence over the Lebanese state.
This maneuver to suppress the voice of expatriates represents a broader pattern of foreign interference, corruption, and institutional collapse that has led to Lebanon’s downfall. Limiting expatriate voting to six vague ‘continental’ seats effectively silences hundreds of thousands of Lebanese abroad — communities that have consistently stood for reform, sovereignty, and against Hezbollah’s agenda.”
The Committee stressed the clear and firm position of the U.S. administration: any U.S. assistance to Lebanon must be conditioned on tangible political and institutional reforms and the full restoration of Lebanese sovereignty.
These reforms include:
- Disarming Hezbollah and all other non-state armed groups, and reaffirming state sovereignty in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 1559, 1680, and 1701.
- Reducing corruption and enhancing governance through transparency, accountability, and the rebuilding of public trust.
- Full implementation of Lebanon’s international obligations, including the Taif Agreement and all relevant UN resolutions.
We call on the Lebanese authorities to implement these essential reforms without delay. In particular, we call on Speaker Berri to immediately allow the urgent amendment to abolish Article 122 to be put to a vote in Parliament, in line with the will of the majority and procedural rules. The Speaker of Parliament must facilitate the work of Parliament, not obstruct it.
Lebanon’s path to recovery, sovereignty, and partnership with the international community runs through these reforms. The Lebanese people, at home and abroad, deserve nothing less.
It is worth noting that the Lebanese American Coordinating Committee (LACC) includes the following organizations: the American Lebanese Policy Institute – PAC (ALPI-PAC), American Friends of Lebanon (AFL), Lebanese American Renaissance Partnership (LARP), Lebanese For Lebanon Foundation (LFLF), Lebanese Information Center (LIC), the World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU), along with the Civic Influence Hub (CIH) as a Lebanese advisory organization.