Change and Reform Calls for End to ‘Politically-Motivated’ Campaign against Qortbawi

The Change and Reform bloc defended on Tuesday Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi’s request to lift immunity off MP Moeen al-Merehbi, saying that he had acted according to the law.

MP Alain Aoun said after the bloc’s weekly meeting: “The campaign against the minister is politically-motivated and it should stop.”

The request was sent to parliament’s general director, whom the bloc said “has no right to reject it.”

The request to lift al-Merehbi’s immunity was made by the army following what it said was his excessive criticism of the military institution.

The March 14 camp has since slammed the request, which Aoun said is politically-motivated.

The Change and Reform bloc meeting also focused on the recent unrest in Tripoli.

The MP said that bloc leader MP Michel Aoun had repeatedly warned that the situation in Tripoli may culminate in the clashes.

He added that the government will remain in power “and we need to maintain the least amount of stability that the government provides.”