BEIRUT: Lebanon's parliament on Wednesday passed a sweeping and long-awaited amnesty law that should benefit thousands of prisoners and wanted people, in the first legislation of its kind since 1991. The office of the speaker of parliament announced the "approval of a draft law aimed at granting a general amnesty and exceptionally reducing the terms of certain sentences", which had been a demand of various political factions and a topic of debate for years in Lebanon.

Its parliament passes a historic law replacing capital punishment with life imprisonment despite opposition from Hezbollah.

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

E' la prima legislazione di questo tipo dal 1991