Lebanon’s parliament on Tuesday approved legislation abolishing the death penalty, replacing all existing death sentences with life imprisonment in a move hailed by officials and international rights bodies as a historic step.

The bill was passed with amendments during a parliamentary session. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s office said the legislation formally ends capital punishment in Lebanon and converts existing death sentences to life terms.

Justice Minister Adel Nassar, speaking from parliament, described the abolition as a “historic step.”

The decision makes Lebanon the first country in the Middle East to formally abolish the death penalty. The country had maintained a de facto moratorium on executions since 2004, but dozens of people remained technically on death row.

The European Union welcomed the legislation, describing it as a major advance for human rights in Lebanon. The EU said the abolition of capital punishment for all crimes, including through its retroactive application to existing death sentences, builds on the moratorium maintained since 2004 and demonstrates Lebanon’s commitment to upholding the right to life.

The bloc said Lebanon, by becoming the first country in the region to abolish the death penalty, was setting an important example for other countries in the Middle East and beyond and reinforcing a broader global trend toward ending capital punishment.

The EU called on countries that still retain the death penalty to abolish it and, until then, to establish or maintain a moratorium on executions. It also urged countries considering restoring capital punishment to refrain from taking what it called a regressive step.

The European Union said it looked forward to continuing to work closely with Lebanon to promote and protect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. It also reiterated its support for the Lebanese authorities’ reform agenda, efforts to strengthen state institutions and measures aimed at protecting citizens.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also welcomed parliament’s decision, saying Lebanon had become the first country in the region to formally abolish capital punishment.

“I commend the decision by the Lebanese Parliament to formally abolish the death penalty,” Turk said in a statement.

Turk described the move as a “powerful and principled” affirmation of the right to life, particularly as Lebanon continues to grapple with the consequences of attacks, loss and suffering.

He urged other countries that continue to impose the death penalty to follow Lebanon’s example and end what he described as an inhumane practice.

Turk also called for the legislation to be sent to President Joseph Aoun promptly for approval so that it can take effect without delay.

“I call on the other countries that still maintain the death penalty to follow its lead in ending this inhumane practice,” he said.