Region | Lebanon

Lebanon's top Shiite cleric bans use of bribes to win votes ahead of June poll

Lebanon's top Shiite cleric has issued a religious edict banning bribes ahead of the June parliament elections.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 08:32 March 17, 2009
  • Gulf News

Beirut: Lebanon's top Shiite cleric has issued a religious edict banning bribes ahead of the June parliament elections.

Bribes are common on Lebanon's corrupt political scene. This year, there are also rumours about Saudi and Iranian petrodollars used in campaigning.

The balloting is to be bitterly contested between a pro-Western parliament majority and a coalition led by Hezbollah, backed by Syria and Iran.

Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Hussain Fadlallah's fatwa says bribes constitute a "betrayal of public responsibility" when it comes to vote-buying.

Monday's edict bans both giving and taking bribes. The cleric's office says it came in response to believers' query about the matter.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

More from Lebanon

  1. Unity Cabinet unlikely to tackle divisive arms issue

  2. Hezbollah leader lashes out at Obama

  3. New Lebanese regime's priorities

  4. Lebanon's unity cabinet comes under scrutiny

All articles in Lebanon

More from Region

Gulf News
Popular in News
News Editor's choice