Lebanese Ministers of Public Works, Displaced Persons and Tourism, Fayez Rassamny, Kamal Shehadeh and Laura al-Khazen Lahoud, respectively, have filed their declarations of assets and interests with the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported on Monday.

Rassamny met with Judge Claude Karam, Chairman of the Commission, at its headquarters in Verdun, while Shehadeh made his declaration in the presence of Commissioner Ali Badran, according to the same source. As far as Lahoud is concerned, NNA merely states that she visited the Commission's headquarters.

President Joseph Aoun, head of government Nawaf Salam and several other ministers had already submitted their declarations of assets and interests to this commission, which was established by law no. 175 of May 8, 2020, but was not formed until the end of January 2022.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission is responsible for registering the wealth and asset declarations of civil servants and public officials. The law stipulates that anyone occupying a public office from the 4th category up to the position of President must file their declaration shortly after taking up their post. If they fail to do so, they are deemed to have resigned, among other legal consequences.

In recent years, Lebanon has faced deep economic crises, marked by hyperinflation, devaluation of the Lebanese pound and widespread poverty. These crises have been exacerbated by accusations of corruption within the political class, leading to an erosion of confidence in government institutions and growing mistrust on the part of both citizens and international partners.