POLITICAL SYSTEM
Q- WHAT IS THE POLITICAL SYSTEM IN LEBANON?
A- Lebanon is a sovereign, free, and independent country and is internationally recognized as such.
It is Arab in its identity and in its association. It is a founding and active member of the League of Arab States and abides by its pacts and covenants. Lebanon is also a founding and active member of the United Nations Organization and abides by its covenants and by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Government embodies these principles in all fields and areas without exception.
Lebanon is a parliamentary democratic republic based on respect for public liberties, especially the freedom of opinion and belief, and respect for social justice and equality of rights and duties among all citizens without discrimination.
The people are the source of authority and sovereignty; they exercise these powers through the constitutional institutions.
The political system is established on the principle of separation, balance, and cooperation amongst the various branches of Government. The abolition of political confessionalism is a basic national goal and is achieved according to a gradual plan.
Q- WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC?
A- The President of the Republic is the head of the State and the symbol of the nation's unity. He safeguards the Constitution and Lebanon's independence, unity, and territorial integrity. The President presides over the Supreme Defense Council and is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The President of the Republic is elected by secret ballot and by a two thirds majority of the Chamber of Deputies.
Upon assuming office, the President of the Republic takes an oath of fidelity before the Parliament to the Lebanese Nation and the Constitution. The President of the Republic promulgates the laws after they have been approved by the Chamber of Deputies (The Parliament). The President of the Republic negotiates international treaties in coordination with the Prime Minister.
The President presides over the Council of Ministers, when he wishes, without participating in voting. The President designates the Prime Minister in consultation with the President of the Chamber of Deputies based on parliamentary consultations.
The President alone issues the Decree which designates the Prime Minister. Of course, he President has many more important functions mentioned in the Constitution.
Q- WHAT IS PARLIAMENT (CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES)?
A- The Chamber of Deputies is a single body in which is vested the Legislative power. It is composed of elected members; their number and the method of their election are determined by the electoral laws in effect. At the present, the distribution of seats is according to the following principles:
a. Equal representation between Christians and Muslims.
b. Proportional representation among the confessional groups within each religious community.
c. Proportional representation among geographic regions.
d. A member of the Chamber represents the whole nation.
e. The Chamber meets each year in two ordinary sessions.
f. The Chamber may be summoned by the President of the republic in consultation with the Prime Minister.
Q- WHAT IS THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS?
A- The council of Ministers is the Body to which is entrusted the executive authority. Among the powers that it exercises are the following:
1- It sets the general policy of the Government in all fields, prepares Bills and organizational Decrees and makes the decisions necessary for implementing them.
2- It watches over the execution of laws and regulations and supervises the activities of all the Government's branches including the civil, military, and security administrations and institutions.
3- It appoints Government employees and dismisses them and accepts their resignations according to the law.
4- It dissolves the Chamber of Deputies upon the request of the President of the Republic.
5- The Council of Ministries meets in a locale specifically set aside for it, and the President chairs its meetings when he attends.