Lebanon becomes first Middle Eastern country to abolish death penalty in landmark vote

• Lebanon's parliament voted on Tuesday to abolish the death penalty, making it the first nation in the Middle East to do so.
• The legislation replaces capital punishment with life imprisonment alongside aggravated hard labor.
• A majority of the 128-member parliament supported the measure, with opposition coming from Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc.
• Justice Minister Adel Nassar hailed the decision as a historic step, while human rights advocates praised the landmark vote.
• Questions remain regarding how aggravated hard labor will be enforced due to severe prison overcrowding and limited state resources.

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Lebanon abolishes death penalty after historic parliament vote