The Lebanese Minister of Interior and Municipalities Mohammad Fahmi confirmed to LBCI that a member of the Lebanese Security Force tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
MP Fahmi insisted that all precautionary measures instructed by WHO and the Ministry of Public Health have been taken and that 14 other members of the security forces are being quarantined at home.
He explained that general mobilization procedures are being implemented and there is complete coordination between all security forces, municipalities, and members of the public institutions.
“We are implementing measures for public safety as well as the safety of citizens as individuals.”
MP Fahmi proceeded to say, “Some underestimate the measures made for the prevention of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but no one has the right to cause harm to his surroundings […] by not staying home.”
Addressing the responsibility of the citizens during these critical times, the interior minister said:
“I ask in the name of humanity to save Lebanon. We are still within the containment, but if the recklessness remains and we do not learn from the most important countries in which coronavirus prevails, imagine what could happen to our society and our homeland? Is the economic and living situation not enough for us?”
The Lebanese security force member who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) is among the 133 confirmed coronavirus cases in hospitals throughout Lebanon.
On another hand, and with the aim of reducing the overcrowdedness in prisons, where about 7,000 people are being held between detainees and arrested, the Council of Ministers approved a draft of an amnesty law.
The law, if passed, aims to release convicts who have served their time but are still in jail because they couldn’t pay their fines. The number is estimated at 120 prisoners who could be set free.
MP Fahmi added in his interview with LBCI, “We adhere to all procedures that must be followed in order to protect the security elements and every prisoner is treated in the same way in which the security elements are treated.”
