Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyle(AFP/Getty)Lebanon's parliament voted on Tuesday to abolish the death penalty, making it the first nation in the Middle East to do so. The legislation replaces capital punishment with life imprisonment alongside aggravated hard labor. A majority of the 128-member parliament supported the measure, with opposition coming from Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc. Justice Minister Adel Nassar hailed the decision as a historic step, while human rights advocates praised the landmark vote. Questions remain regarding how aggravated hard labor will be enforced due to severe prison overcrowding and limited state resources. In fullLebanon abolishes death penalty after historic parliament voteMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Lebanon’s parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty, formally ending capital punishment in the country and making it the first nation in the Middle East to take such a…

This is a locator map for Lebanon with its capital, Beirut. (AP Photo)

Moratorium on executions had already been in place for 22 years

The move comes as parliament debates a controversial general amnesty law amid overcrowded prisions