The Kataeb Party’s Foreign Relations Department issued a formal statement on 14 October to condemn ongoing defamation campaigns directed at Ambassador Nada Hamada Moawad. These developments follow the decision to refer a report against the ambassador to the Military Court, an action that has prompted significant pushback from political and diplomatic circles. The Kataeb Party’s Foreign Relations Department issued a statement condemning the defamation campaigns against Ambassador Nada Hamada Moawad, noting the department's concern regarding the nature of the accusations currently circulating.
Sami Gemayel, Head of the Kataeb Party, addressed the referral on X, characterizing the move as a threat to the integrity of Lebanon's diplomatic corps. Kataeb Party leader Sami Gemayel stated on X that referring the report against Ambassador Nada Hamada Moawad to the Military Court is unacceptable. Sami Gemayel stated: "إنّ إحالة الإخبار بحقّ السفيرة ندى حمادة معوّض إلى المحكمة العسكرية أمرٌ مرفوض، ويشكّل سابقة خطيرة في ضرب استقلالية العمل الدبلوماسي. لا يجوز إخضاع الدبلوماسية اللبنانية لحسابات سياسية. المطلوب حماية المؤسسات لا ترهيبها."
In English, this translates to: "Referring the report against Ambassador Nada Hamada Moawad to the Military Court is unacceptable and constitutes a dangerous precedent in undermining the independence of diplomatic work. Lebanese diplomacy must not be subjected to political calculations. What is required is to protect institutions, not intimidate them."
The legal proceedings have drawn attention to the role of the military judiciary in cases involving diplomatic personnel. The referral of the report to the Military Court has led to an internal assessment within the Kataeb Party regarding the impact of such judicial actions on the broader diplomatic standing of Lebanese representatives abroad. The party maintains that the diplomatic corps requires immunity from domestic judicial processes that do not fall within the standard scope of civil or criminal law as applied to public officials.
The United States government also signaled its opposition to the proceedings. Washington expressed its objection to the prosecution of Ambassador Nada Hamada Moawad before the military judiciary, citing concerns over the legal trajectory of the case. The United States government expressed its objection to the prosecution of Ambassador Nada Hamada Moawad before the military judiciary, emphasizing the importance of maintaining diplomatic decorum and established legal procedures.
This objection from the United States government shows the international scrutiny currently surrounding the case. The legal trajectory of the case remains a focal point for diplomatic observers who are monitoring how the Military Court will handle the report against Ambassador Nada Hamada Moawad. The Kataeb Party continues to monitor the situation closely, asserting that the protection of Ambassador Nada Hamada Moawad is essential for the preservation of diplomatic norms. The ongoing discussion regarding the military judiciary's involvement reflects a broader debate on the oversight of diplomatic personnel in Lebanon.
