French Justice Minister Arrives in Beirut
French Justice Minister Rachida Dati arrived in Beirut Thursday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Lebanese counterpart Ibrahim Najjar.
The two countries are expected to sign an agreement for judicial cooperation aimed at "combating organized crime, money laundering and terrorism in addition to technical training of judicial police," Dati told reporters after talks with Najjar.
The deal also allows for "judicial training and exchange of expertise between French … in order to boost the Lebanese judicial body and bring in new judges like what happened in France lately."
Most importantly, she added, France will help "train and prep prison wardens especially that the Interior Ministry is (gradually) turning over prison administration to the Justice Ministry."
She stressed the need for the full implementation a 2002 law, under which judges can reduce prison verdicts for juveniles thus facilitating their reintegration into society once freed.
Najjar said the Justice Ministry on Wednesday will launch a campaign for the implementation of Law 422 from Lebanon”s notorious Roumieh prison.
To a question, Dati said Lebanese citizen George Ibrahim Abdullah, who has been in a French jail since 1984, has repeatedly appealed for a verdict reduction but was turned down by the judiciary.
Abdullah was sentenced to life in prison for complicity in the murders of two American and Israeli diplomats in Paris.
Dati later held separate talks with President Michel Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri.