Lebanon Daily News 11/30/20

DAILY NEWS


Lebanon to Ease Virus Curbs From Monday
Arab News

Lebanon’s Parliament Backs Audit of All State Bodies
Timour Azhari
Al Jazeera

Israel-Lebanon Maritime Border Talks Postponed, Both Sides Say
Tom Perry and Dan Williams
Reuters

OPINION & ANALYSIS


The Disaster in Lebanon and Challenge for the Biden Administration
Ambassador (ret.) Ed Gabriel
American Ambassadors Live

EVENTS


Middle East Institute
MEI Defense Leadership Series: Episode 9 with Deputy Commander of Operation Inherent Resolve Maj. Gen. Kevin Copsey
November 30, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. ET

MEI Senior Fellow and Director of the Defense and Security Program Bilal Y. Saab will speak to the UK’s Major General Kevin Copsey, the Deputy Commander of Strategy for the Combined Joint Task Force for Operation Inherent Resolve (CJT-OIR). This conversation will focus on the role CJT-OIR has played in countering ISIS in Iraq and Syria and the future of this strategic effort.

Register

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

The Disaster in Lebanon and Challenge for the Biden Administration

Crosspost from American Ambassadors Live!

 

Political History 1989-2019

The disastrous state of affairs in Lebanon is mainly a result of failed governance for the past several decades. The 1989 Taif Agreement that defined peace after Lebanon’s civil war created a balancing act among various warlords and political figures who divvied up the government by sectarian affiliation. Since then, government institutions have been weakened, public employment has become a function of constituent services, contracts and social services have been doled out without any transparent process and necessary reforms have been ignored.

Humanitarian consequences of this mismanagement are widespread. Social services are lacking. Public schools, health and social services, a pension system and labor laws are inadequate; and there is little protection for civil and human rights and environmental protection. In addition, there are more than 1 million Palestinian, Syrian and other refugees in the country, exerting extreme pressure on the country’s socioeconomic requirements and infrastructure.

Infrastructure investment has been ignored, and 80% of hospitals and 70% of schools are run by the private sector. The economy has been running disproportionately on remittances from Lebanese emigres and tourism. The banking system, which was highly praised until a year ago, attracted hard currency and euro-bonds by offering high interest rates in order to feed a deficit-spending government, only to default when the government failed to honor the bonds due.

In October 2019, the government blundered by imposing a tax on the popular, free telecom app, WhatsApp, to pay for increasing public deficits of its own making. The people had enough; they were outraged. They lost what remaining faith they had in the government, and on October 17 demonstrations erupted across the country, across all sects, generations and political persuasions.

The people were upset as they experienced an increasingly poorer quality of life, especially after the Lebanese lira rapidly declined in value due to the lack of stable reserves to support the currency. In 2019, Lebanon had the third-highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the world, and its bonds are now “junk” on the international markets. It imports 80% of what it consumes. The country is broke, with little support from expatriates and allies and a ruling class that shows no willingness to reform.

In 2018, the international donor community, in an effort called the CEDRE program, agreed to support Lebanon once it undertook systematic reforms. These have been neither instituted nor implemented, leaving $11 billion in international aid on the table. Subsidies on food, fuel and medicine are set to stop in December due to a lack of government reserves. Inflation is well over 200% for food items, over-the-counter medicines are almost non-existent due to hoarding and the middle class is rapidly disappearing. Banking-sector capital controls make it almost impossible for depositors to have access to their funds, and the failing exchange rate means that people who withdraw their lira face an immediate decline in purchasing power.

The demonstrations were remarkable in their intensity and breadth; and it was only a matter of time before their concerns had to be addressed. The first casualty was the then- (and now again) Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who resigned, along with several of his ministers and Members of Parliament.

And If That Isn’t Enough

Lebanon took another blow when the pandemic hit and its hospitals did not have medical supplies readily available to address the COVID-19 crisis. Then, on August 4, at the Port of Beirut, one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever resulted in almost 200 deaths; close to 6,000 injured; 300,000 people displaced; billions of dollars of damage to structures, small businesses and residences; and devastation to the port and adjacent storage and logistics areas.

For the first time since the Spanish flu in the early 20th century, people are going hungry. Lebanese who can emigrate do. Even international aid flows are obstructed as a result of historic and systemic corruption by customs officials.

Since the fall of the Hariri government in 2019, two appointed prime ministers have failed to name new governments, stymied by sectarian political leaders. Now Prime Minister Hariri is back, promising to bring the necessary reforms through a government of experts willing to implement the so-called French Plan that ties relief to economic reforms. His chances of success will become clear in the coming weeks. Hezbollah, conducting Iran-directed interventions in Syria, Yemen and beyond, does not appear interested in strengthening the state of Lebanon if it does not serve Iran’s interests and has shown no intention of stepping aside for a technically competent government.

U.S. Interests in Lebanon

America has significant strategic interests in supporting a strong and prosperous Lebanon and cannot afford to have Lebanon become a failed state. These interests include:

  • Countering the influence of Iran and its proxy Hezbollah, as well as Russian and Chinese regional encroachment

  • Maintaining security across the Lebanese-Israeli border to avoid another war

  • Maintaining successful counterterrorism and military cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)

  • Sustaining a country hosting more than 1 million registered Syrian and Palestinian refugees, which is the highest number of refugees per capita in the world

  • Preventing a failed state in the region, which would generate new flows of refugees (Syrians and Lebanese) and new havens for ISIS and al-Qaeda, while further empowering Hezbollah

  • Preserving Lebanon’s unique example as an inclusive society of diverse peoples and cultures

A Roadmap for the Biden Administration

The situation in Lebanon requires a comprehensive and deft U.S. policy. First and foremost, it must be a Lebanon policy, rather than the result of an Israel or Iran policy with side implications that can adversely affect Lebanon.

One criticism of the Trump administration is that it often rejected policies of past administrations. Whether it was Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran or the Affordable Care Act, the Trump administration unwisely rejected some Obama-era policies outright, rather than building upon them. Likewise, there are Trump administration policies that are working or could be improved. This applies to U.S. policies toward Lebanon.

Importantly, the U.S. must take up the leadership mantle again and not cede its role in Lebanon or the Middle East to countries that would rather undermine the U.S. Rather, it must lead a coalition of like-minded countries in a common policy towards Lebanon and the wider Middle East region.

The Biden administration should implement four baskets of policies:

  • Tough diplomacy, conditioning assistance based on specific implementation of reforms

  • A commitment to the people of Lebanon to support their short- and longer-term needs with regard to humanitarian, social, political and economic needs, and their civil and human rights

  • Support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, which guards Lebanon’s security

  • Addressing regional issues that affect Lebanon: instability in Syria, Israeli security, Russian interference and the destabilizing influence of Iran in Lebanon

Tough Diplomacy that Supports Serious Reforms

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), France and the CEDRE conference have proposed reforms that, if enacted, could provide more than $20 billion to save the Lebanese government from default. Such assistance is dependent on a reformist, independent government established with the support of Lebanon’s citizens and other stakeholders.

In particular, the proposed reforms address capital controls on the currency, a forensic audit of the Central Bank, restructuring the banking sector, budget deficit reduction, tax and civil service reforms, laws addressing transparent privatization policies, electricity reform and a social safety net for a country with a poverty rate exceeding 50% and likely to rise.

The Biden administration should encourage the government and its stakeholders to articulate a comprehensive and shared vision for moving Lebanon forward, and it should work with the IMF and its allies on a restructuring plan that enables Lebanon to achieve credible and lasting reforms, thus enhancing prospective foreign and domestic investments. One proposal under consideration to stabilize the lira is the establishment of an independent currency board.

The U.S. and its partners should utilize existing international mechanisms to help Lebanon identify, impound and repatriate stolen or corruptly accumulated funds, and it should lead an orchestrated international meeting of friends and partners to show support for financial restructuring based on Lebanon’s resolve to undertake specific reforms.

For its part, Lebanon needs to make a serious effort to facilitate a discussion among all stakeholders, including civil society, unions, banks, businesses and the professional class, as well as political leaders, to draft a comprehensive plan for the country. Parliament must signal its commitment to fast-track legislation to support necessary reforms.

The Biden administration should also closely examine the effectiveness of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration under the Magnitsky Act and anti-terrorism laws. The threat of sanctions seemed to have distanced some parties from their alliance with Hezbollah. It is believed that sanctions on Hezbollah and its sectarian allies in government have pushed them to allow the negotiations to proceed on the Israeli-Lebanon maritime border. Sanctions have also raised the hope of the Lebanese people that they are not alone in their fight against corrupt officials.

It should be cautioned however that while sanctions may be useful in curbing the illegal actions of Hezbollah and their political influence, sanctions should focus on human rights abusers, corrupt individuals, and terrorist activity, rather than a particular group of people, political party, religion, or based on political motives. It is important for the US to avoid the impression of pursuing a political objective.

Contrary to some commentaries, the Biden administration should express a firm commitment to prosecute individuals who break international laws pertaining to corruption, terrorism or human rights.

A Commitment to the Citizens of Lebanon

While the carrot-and-stick approach of tough U.S. diplomatic actions has been called an effective tool of the Trump administration and its allies, it is incomplete. If the Lebanese people are asked to suffer through tough diplomatic actions, there should be a commensurate commitment to help them through this difficult period. The Trump administration was influenced by anti-Hezbollah hawks in Congress and administration officials who believed that support to Lebanon would end up in the hands of Hezbollah. The facts do not support this concern.

There is an immediate need for humanitarian assistance. The Trump administration has provided $18 million in “previously” committed aid to Lebanon, and it promised another $30 million in food aid through the World Food Program.

Lebanese Americans have contributed more to Lebanon than the U.S. government has, with free shipments of medicine, medical supplies and reconstruction materials now exceeding $30 million through trusted Lebanese and U.S. NGOs. The U.S. is missing an opportunity by not more visibly participating in helping the Lebanese people during this tragic time.

Unfortunately, the need will continue for the foreseeable future, and it must be a funding priority of the Biden administration to support food security measures and vital medicines, medical supplies and recovery help following the August 4th explosion.

In the longer term, the future of Lebanon and its bilateral relationship rests on the U.S.’s ability to engage the citizens of Lebanon. Lebanese are Western-focused, with a strong desire for individual liberty, the rule of law and freedom of expression.

President-elect Joe Biden has made it a priority to lead internationally by emphasizing human rights. The Biden administration should support tomorrow’s leaders and civil society programs, including efforts that strengthen civil society, elections, political party development, human and civil rights, judicial reform, small business development and capacity building for communities and organizations.

U.S.-style institutions of higher education, including the American University of Beirut and Lebanese American University, should be strengthened. Scholarships should incentivize recent graduates to remain in Lebanon to rebuild their country.

Considering Lebanon’s extremely high poverty rate, the U.S. should lead and catalyze international efforts to fund comprehensive and effective social safety nets for all Lebanese people and continue to lead in supporting Syrian refugees until they can return in a voluntary, safe and dignified manner.

If the stalemate continues in the formation of an independent reform government, the international community should consider adopting the French proposal that entails shifting international support from government reforms to immediate humanitarian efforts and medium-term support to the people of Lebanon and their civil society institutions.

Support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)

The LAF is one of the best-trained fighting forces in the Middle East, having defeated pockets of ISIS and al-Qaeda, maintained peace on its southern border and protected the freedom of Lebanese citizens to publicly express their concerns.

As a means of strengthening Lebanon’s sovereign responsibilities, appropriations for the LAF should be commensurate with the need to provide, maintain and sustain equipment and training to carry out its mandate and extend its maritime operations.

The U.S. should recognize that the LAF has become more than a military force, extending its responsibilities to include FEMA- and Army Corps-style duties following the August explosion and successfully protecting Lebanese citizens’ right to protest. The U.S. should offer technical assistance and training in these fields.

Regional Concerns

There are three specific regional issues that the Biden administration should lead in conjunction with its allies.

Iran

While it is commendable that the Biden administration will reengage Iran on the JCPOA and reestablish its traditional role as balancer in the region, it should take advantage of any negotiation to ensure that it goes beyond denuclearization and includes curbs on missile technology and terrorist proxies and Iran’s hegemonic ambitions.

Israel

The new administration should prioritize the maritime border negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. Such confidence-building measures could lead to further steps, such as negotiations on the Israel-Lebanon land border, including Shebaa Farms, which would remove Hezbollah’s biggest justification for its armed conflict with Israel.

Syria

Getting Syria right after failed attempts under the past two administrations is important to stabilize the region. The U.S. must reassert its leadership on the Syrian issue and maintain support for the Syrian Democratic Forces, with the objective of driving parties to the bargaining table for resolution, addressing a disaster that has resulted in more than 5.6 million refugees and 6.1 million displaced people.

Renewing the Relationship

The measures outlined in this article will not put additional demands on the existing U.S.-Lebanon appropriations, but rather, propose to rearrange policy priorities. The U.S. and Lebanon should renew their partnership during this challenging time in ways that strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of both nations. The U.S. should work to enhance its relationship with Lebanon by showing the leadership to undertake these recommended actions in concert with the Lebanese people and the reform-minded institutions of the Lebanese state.

AMBASSADOR EDWARD GABRIEL served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco from 1997-2001. He serves on the boards of Amideast, the Lebanese American University and The Keystone Policy Center, and he is President of the American Task Force for Lebanon.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/25/20

DAILY NEWS


US Charities Raise Millions in Wake of Beirut Port Blast
Mike Householder
Associated Press

Why Refugees Won’t Return to Syria
Akhin Ahmed
Al-Monitor

FPM, LF Slam Proposed Electoral Law as Bid to ‘Change Political System’
Amir-Hussein Radjy
Naharnet

 

OPINION & ANALYSIS


What’s in a Flag?
Olivia Shabb
Carnegie Middle East Center

 

EVENTS


Towards Sustainable Development: Options for Lebanon Beyond the Financial Crisis
Lebanese Center for Policy Studies
November 26, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. ET

There have been serious calls for urgent actions aiming to promote a healthy financial system, to change the long-lasting harmful practices, drain resources, adopt fair taxation rules, prevent shifting of profits out of the countries, restore confidence and raise the voices of citizens that have been left behind. In this regard, it has been resolved that a new economic model is needed to ensure sustainable development given the collapse of the system, rising inequality, overstretched health system, and unaffordable private education. The plan of action should recognize that eradicating poverty and inequality in all their forms and dimensions is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. It seeks to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path. This webinar will strive to identify challenges and needs to reach the appropriate goals and targets (SDG) as well as to determine the key tools in this respect notably for a fragile country like Lebanon starting from the identification of structural strengths to cultivate and weaknesses to combat to make development more sustainable.

Register

MEI Defense Leadership Series: Episode 9 with Deputy Commander of Operation Inherent Resolve Maj. Gen. Kevin Copsey
Middle East Institute
November 30, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. ET

MEI Senior Fellow and Director of the Defense and Security Program Bilal Y. Saab will speak to the UK’s Major General Kevin Copsey, the Deputy Commander of Strategy for the Combined Joint Task Force for Operation Inherent Resolve (CJT-OIR). This conversation will focus on the role CJT-OIR has played in countering ISIS in Iraq and Syria and the future of this strategic effort.

Register

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/24/20

DAILY NEWS


Lebanon’s Aoun Says Forensic Audit Needed for IMF Bailout Talks
Dana Khraiche
Bloomberg

Protesters Mark Lebanon’s Independence Day with Brooms and Basil
Najia Houssari
Arab News

In Lebanon, Army Courts Target Anti-Government Protesters
Amir-Hussein Radjy
Associated Press

Climate Change Closes in on Lebanon’s Iconic Cedar Trees
Ruth Sherlock
NPR

 

OPINION & ANALYSIS


What’s in a Flag?
Olivia Shabb
Carnegie Middle East Center

 

EVENTS


Lebanese Center for Policy Studies
Towards Sustainable Development: Options for Lebanon Beyond the Financial Crisis
November 26, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. ET

There have been serious calls for urgent actions aiming to promote a healthy financial system, to change the long-lasting harmful practices, drain resources, adopt fair taxation rules, prevent shifting of profits out of the countries, restore confidence and raise the voices of citizens that have been left behind. In this regard, it has been resolved that a new economic model is needed to ensure sustainable development given the collapse of the system, rising inequality, overstretched health system, and unaffordable private education. The plan of action should recognize that eradicating poverty and inequality in all their forms and dimensions is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. It seeks to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path. This webinar will strive to identify challenges and needs to reach the appropriate goals and targets (SDG) as well as to determine the key tools in this respect notably for a fragile country like Lebanon starting from the identification of structural strengths to cultivate and weaknesses to combat to make development more sustainable.

Register

Middle East Institute
MEI Defense Leadership Series: Episode 9 with Deputy Commander of Operation Inherent Resolve Maj. Gen. Kevin Copsey
November 30, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. ET

MEI Senior Fellow and Director of the Defense and Security Program Bilal Y. Saab will speak to the UK’s Major General Kevin Copsey, the Deputy Commander of Strategy for the Combined Joint Task Force for Operation Inherent Resolve (CJT-OIR). This conversation will focus on the role CJT-OIR has played in countering ISIS in Iraq and Syria and the future of this strategic effort.

Register

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/20/20

DAILY NEWS


Alvarez & Marsal Terminates Contract to Conduct BDL Forensic Auditing
The Daily Star

Lebanon Hires Firm to Clear Dangerous Material From Shattered Beirut Port
Reuters

Israel Accuses Lebanon of Changing Stance on Maritime Border
Naharnet

 

OPINION & ANALYSIS


The Same Old Song in Lebanon – Who’s Left to Trust?
Jean AbiNader

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

This Week in Lebanon

NOVEMBER 22, 2020
Delay in Government Formation
Independents’ Success in Student Council Elections
UN Special Coordinator’s Response to Government Delay

 

Continued Delay in Government Formation
President Michel Aoun met with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri last week to discuss Lebanon’s government formation. It was reported that the meeting ended negatively when President Aoun insisted on naming Christian ministers. A former Lebanese PM said that this delay furthers Hezbollah’s wishes to push further government consultations to early next year, after US President-Elect Joe Biden is inaugurated. (Naharnet)

ANALYSIS

“Hezbollah’s gamble to wait for a Biden administration before assenting to a new government is dangerous and will drive the Lebanese into more poverty, emigration, and joblessness. Lebanon’s economy has days, not weeks, to form an independent government in order to receive necessary international support and avoid economic collapse. A Biden administration has made it clear that any new agreement with Iran will include curbs on “terrorist proxies.” So I’m not sure why Hezbollah waits! If an independent, reform minded government is delayed, a Biden administration in its first week should signal its agreement with France to reprogram some CEDRE and international aid to direct aid to civil society to support universities, election reform, and social safety net programs.”
-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel


Independents Make an Impression in Student Council Elections
Lebanese American University’s student council seats are usually dominated by the right-wing political party Lebanese Force, but this year, independent students won all the student council seats they ran in: 14 out of 30 seats total. The American University of Beirut also saw strong results for independents at 80 out of 101 seats, and Rafik Hariri University’s independents took four out of nine seats. (Al Jazeera)

ANALYSIS

“Finding a bright spot in the Lebanese landscape is almost impossible these days but, once again, young people are leading the way. There has been a great deal of concern that the October 17 demonstrators are unable to organize, agree on a central platform, and create a coherent strategy for mobilizing the street. Well, recent university student elections were dominated by the independents. This is a small but reassuring sign that the youth still want to have a say in their future and are working on coalescing around a proactive message to challenge the old guard.”
-ATFL Policy Director Jean AbiNader


UN Special Coordinator on Government Delay
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis participated in an interview with France 24 during which he bemoaned the delay in Lebanon’s government formation. He stressed that he wants to see a government formed in days, not weeks and that the lack of accountability in the government only furthers the public’s mistrust. (France 24)

ANALYSIS

“It seems that progress is imperceptible in forming a new government. The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, emphasizing the severity of the situation, wants to see results in days not weeks. Data tells the story as poverty and unemployment increase; the coronavirus is rising to dangerous levels; the value of the lira is headed toward 8,500 to the dollar; and some 2,000 medical personnel have left the country. Kubis warned that if the political vacuum continues, Lebanon could face a ‘humanitarian catastrophe and even a collapse.’ Not much to add…the signs are clear.”
-ATFL Policy Director Jean AbiNader

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/19/20

DAILY NEWS


Activists Protest Against Total Closure in Lebanon
Najia Houssari
Arab News

Promises to Facilitate Government Formation Fade
Naharnet

After Student Election Wins, Lebanese Prepare for Bigger Battles
Timour Azhari
Al Jazeera

Rising From Destruction
UNICEF

OPINION & ANALYSIS


Gender Inequality in Economic Crisis
Sami Zoughaib and Dr. Nisreen Salti
Lebanese Center for Policy Studies Podcast

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

The Same Old Song in Lebanon – Who’s Left to Trust?

It is dispiriting to have to write AGAIN that while the people of Lebanon increasingly suffer from multiple crises, or as US Ambassador Dorothy Shea said, “They are now beyond that, they are catastrophes,” the powers-that-be continue to drive the country into failure. The most recent indication of their disregard for the welfare of the people is the handling of the investigation at the Port of Beirut.

The FBI has already submitted an inconclusive report, and details are not yet public from the French investigation. But as was noted previously, both investigations were stymied by the government which limited their scope and depth by excluding senior officials and putting the focus on the blast itself and not the security or political conditions that allowed the situation to occur in the first place. Concerns about corruption, unanswered questions about the owners of the shipment, the details of the origination and destination of the ammonium nitrate, and whether or not the entire contents were at the Port or if some had been siphoned off over time, are left unanswered.

Of course, there has been no formal follow up of the various theories as to what the combustible material was doing there in the first place: if it was feedstock for bomb-making, if there was complicity or at least willful ignorance on the part of officials from the security agencies and LAF that have facilities at the Port, if it was ignited by some external foreign or domestic party, or any of the many conspiracies that linger around the disaster story.

Two stories this week bring up the latest missteps in ongoing investigations. The first concerns the classified report from Lebanon’s elite Information Branch intelligence agency, which is a branch of the Internal Security Forces (ISF). It found many state officials and security agencies responsible for the August 4th explosion that killed almost 200 people, injured more than 6,500, left more than 300,000 homeless, and caused damages reported to exceed $8 million to repair. The 350-page report was prepared by the Information Branch, military police, and investigators from the judiciary.

The report allegedly blames the Beirut Port Authority and Customs for leaving the ammonium nitrate in unsafe conditions for almost seven years. Badri Daher and Shafik Merhi, current and former heads of customs, are particularly named since they could have acted on their own to remove the chemical, a charge they are contesting. Others under scrutiny are the Cases Authority which represents the government, the directorate of land and maritime transport at the Ministry of Public Works which oversees the port, and Army Intelligence and the State Security agency, both of which have offices at the port.

While some 25 low- and mid-level administrative and security officials have been detained in connection with the explosion, current and former ministers and security chiefs were questioned as “witnesses” rather than as suspects. This was the decision of the lead investigator Judge Fadi Sawan despite the claim that many top officials – including ministers of finance, public works, and justice and Lebanon’s president and prime minister – knew of the presence of the volatile materials.

This was the same procedure followed in the Information Branch report which did not hold any current or former ministers responsible. The judge claims that they are out of his reach due to the immunity from prosecution enjoyed by top officials. Despite the deaths and damage, those who have been detained are charged with willful neglect, punishable by a maximum five-year prison sentence. To add to the confusing nature of the investigation, Judge Sawan took issue with the conclusions in the Information Branch report that assigned responsibilities for the explosion, which he considered his prerogative as lead investigator. The expectation is that the French report will also be limited to lower level officials.

It was noted by the media that Sawan was the third choice for lead investigator into the explosion. “The council of judges that picked him was majority-appointed by Lebanon’s executive branch. They rejected the justice minister’s initial proposal to have a judge known for his independence lead the investigation.”

Meanwhile, many survivors of the explosion and the families of victims have called for some form of an international investigation into the explosion, as have groups such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), and the Beirut Bar Association. They said an international probe is the only way to ensure accountability, given the politically exposed nature of Lebanon’s courts.

Not to be settled anytime soon

The investigation into the Central Bank is also running into obstacles, according to a Naharnet.com article. Prosecutor Ghada Aoun took the Special Investigation Commission at the Central Bank of Lebanon to task for impeding her investigation. “The Special Investigation Commission is being exploited. It has not responded to my request a year ago for a statement of account,” said Aoun in telephone remarks. She asked the SIC for a statement of account disclosing the banking secrecy of fuel importing companies and a number of persons involved in the case of the fuel import fraud. “The Commission is the most important body to detect corruption and theft of public funds but it fails to attend to its responsibilities,” she said, accusing it of “procrastination on this issue.” So, sadly, there is nothing new in Lebanon as winter approaches and poverty and despair are on the increase.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/18/20

DAILY NEWS


Trump Congratulates Aoun Ahead of Independence Day
The Daily Star

Judge Aoun Says SIC ‘Fails to Attend to Responsibilities
Naharnet

Army Helicopters Warn Lebanese to Stay Home
Najia Houssari
Arab News

Meet the Lebanese Chairman Behind the Vaccine Company with 94% Effectiveness
Rim Zrein
The 961

OPINION & ANALYSIS


Lebanese Maritime Security: Navigating Rough Seas with Good Policy
Joseph Sarkis
Middle East Institute

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/17/20

DAILY NEWS


Intelligence Probe Into Beirut Explosion Lays Out Liabilities
Timour Azhari
Al Jazeera

France Pursues Efforts to Help Lebanon
Naharnet

Fahmi Says Lockdown Could Ease From Friday
The Daily Star

OPINION & ANALYSIS


Coming Up for Air
Michael Young
Carnegie Middle East Center

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.