Cabinet Grants Miqati Power to Decide on Transfer of Telecom Data to Security Agencies
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Cabinet granted on Wednesday Prime Minister Najib Miqati the power to decide on the transfer of telecommunications data to security agencies despite the objection of a number of ministers.
The requested data dates from January 15 to May 15, 2012.
Miqati added that he requested that the content of the data not be revealed.
LBCI television had reported earlier that Ministers Salim Karam, Salim Jreissati, and Jebran Bassil objected to the decision to grant Miqati the power to decide on the transfer of telecom data, while Ministers Wael Abou Faour and Alaeddine Terro opposed the transfer of the complete data.
The security agencies' request was rejected by Telecommunications Minister Nicolas Sehnaoui, who argued that the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority did not approve it.
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun had also rejected the request, deeming it as unconstitutional, while Miqati had explained that “Article 9 of article 140 of the wiretapping law stipulates that each of the defense and interior ministers could be granted the right to intercept phone calls through written consent and the prime minister's approval in order to garner information aimed at combating terrorism and crimes against the state.”
20 February 2013, 16:30
24
Since when the executive branch has the right to issue wiretap orders? This is a purely legal matter and a judge has to have the final say. This is granting the prime minister powers way beyond what's stipulated in the constitution.
20 February 2013, 16:46
23
Good. Let's see who this implicates and how they are planning on turning it into an Israeli conspiracy.
20 February 2013, 18:13
14
no FT, but we know that still hizbushapm will find another way to block it.
20 February 2013, 19:04
13
actually it is not a minority report it is backed by evidence.
how many times they refused to give up the data in relation to murders and attempted murders clearly done by hizbushaitan?
you want to dig your head in the sand ... it is your prerogative, but do not assume for a second the rest of us Lebanese do not see properly what is going on.
20 February 2013, 20:05
11
What are you yapping about FT? If the telecom data can implicate people that committing bombings in Lebanon, you wouldn't want to find out whom? I agree that we need to protect citizen's privacy but that is why you look at these on a case by case basis and see if there are compelling evidence to turn over the info.
I'm glad you automatically attributed Israeli conspiracy to HA as that kind association does come from one or two incidents but far too many.
still my question remains. I want to see who this implicates which in turn will tell us why people are obstructing this investigation. An investigation that will ultimately protect THE LEBANESE PEOPLE from being future victims to terroristic bombings.
20 February 2013, 20:14
12
FT- I have a question to you that is very simple and straight forward. Do you want to find a way to stop these bombings in Lebanon or are you ok with them as long you are safe being part of the M8 camp? whether you beleive it is Israel (SMH) or Hizb? do you want them to stop or not?
21 February 2013, 06:39
00
FT- looks like you and I have polar opposite definitions of "facilitating". To me, this really looked a lot like FPM wanted to avoid transferring the data at all costs and were eventually forced to. We don't need to argue this point as we can agree to disagree and leave it at that.
20 February 2013, 23:04
01
What a shock, FPMers and Marada opposed the transfer--are they guilty or trying to hide their guilty allies? And please don't tell me that they respect privacy
The government needs to have procedures in place to safeguard citizens which does not need the minister of telecommunications to make a decision on handing over security matters.
