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Month: October 2021

Lebanon Daily News Brief 10/21/2021

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DAILY NEWS

US Envoy Assures Gas Suppliers Shielded From Caesar Sanctions
Lebanon’s energy minister said yesterday after meetings with US envoy Amos Hochstein that Hochstein assured him those involved in the Arab Gas Pipeline project from Egypt through Jordan and Syria to Lebanon will be shielded from US Caesar sanctions. [Reuters] US Congress members spoke out against any move that would establish ties with Assad, expressing concerns that it would “legitimize cruelty” in Syria. [Al Monitor]

Lebanon Raises Fuel Prices, Lifting Fuel Subsidy
Yesterday Lebanon increased fuel prices by about 25 percent. This latest price raise effectively removes all subsidies on fuel bringing the new price to 312,700 Lebanese pounds per 20 liters. This is almost half of Lebanon’s monthly minimum wage. [AP] Protests across Lebanon have started in response to the price increases including demonstrations that have blocked off roads in Saifi, Karantina, Dora, and Tripoli. [The 961]

Human Rights Organization Concludes Syria not Safe for Return
Human Rights Watch released a report this week titled, “Our Lives Are Like Death: Syrian Refugee Returns from Lebanon and Jordan.” The report concluded that Syria is not safe for the return of refugees. HRW detailed cases of arrest and arbitrary detention, torture, kidnappings, extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and sexual violence for those who returned to Syria. [HRW]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Amid Beirut Clashes, Lebanese Investigators Need Protection
Hanin Ghaddar

Ghaddar writes, “Ensuring that the election takes place on time and under international supervision is vital. This is not enough, however—the international community must also help protect those in Lebanon who have the courage to stand up to the political establishment, taking steps that shield them from violence, arrests, random interrogations, and threats. Shia politicians who are running against Hezbollah need additional protection as well, and the LAF is the only institution capable of providing it. Washington should therefore consider using its security assistance program to the LAF as a means of leveraging such protection ahead of the election.”

Read more here

Providence
Firefight on Beirut Streets is a Warning to US and Lebanon
Steven Howard

Howard writes, “Onlookers have warned about increasing instability in Lebanon in recent years. While the US has strongly supported security and humanitarian assistance for Lebanon, multiple administrations have attempted to pivot away from the Middle East to East Asia. The October 14 clashes are the latest reminder that proactive action must be taken immediately to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people and to reform their political system. The US must prioritize combating corruption and incentivize reform in Lebanon. The clock is ticking.”

Read more here

Middle East Institute
Making Sense of the Beirut Clashes
Christophe Abi-Nassif

Nassif writes, “If there’s one key takeaway from [last] week’s developments, it’s that observers, both domestic and foreign, should keep their eyes on the ball: shielding the port blast investigation and ensuring it continues unabated. Lebanon’s political establishment has mastered the art of diversion and manipulation, and Lebanese political parties are once again leveraging religious affiliations, identity politics, and threats of civil war to divert attention away from a publicly supported investigation that may implicate nearly all of them. For years, politicians have cemented their favorite, forcibly imposed tradeoff: civil peace and stability vs. justice and accountability. This approach has generally been successful — more particularly since the general amnesty law was passed in 1991 — and has often resulted in inconclusive or botched investigations as well as political reconciliations that favored maintaining the status quo over finding and acting upon the truth.”

Read more here

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 10/20/2021

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DAILY NEWS

US Energy Envoy Visits Beirut
US Senior Advisor for Global Energy Security Amos Hochstein is in Beirut to discuss sustainable solutions to Lebanon’s energy crisis. Hochstein has also been appointed to lead US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel over maritime border disputes. [US State Department] The visit comes as Lebanon’s fuel shortages continue to afflict the country.

Central Bank Financial Audit to Resume
President Michel Aoun said today that consultants from Alvarez & Marsal will resume a financial audit of Lebanon’s central bank this week. The transparent audit of Banque du Liban has remained a central requirement for Lebanon to access billions of dollars in financial assistance. [National] Today an IMF executive director expressed hope that program negotiations with Lebanon to unlock assistance can begin before the start of the new year. [Reuters]

Judge Bitar Continues the Beirut Port Investigation
After Judge Tarek Bitar’s investigation into last year’s Beirut Port explosion had been temporarily suspended twice, Bitar has continued his probe and has rescheduled interrogations with two sitting members of parliament for October 29. Two other former ex-ministers have been issued arrest warrants for failing to appear. All four had previously filed legal complaints when they were called in for questioning. Former Prime Minister Hasan Diab is also scheduled for questioning at the end of the month. [Al Jazeera]

Human Rights Organization Concludes Syria not Safe for Return
Human Rights Watch released a report this week titled, “Our Lives Are Like Death: Syrian Refugee Returns from Lebanon and Jordan.” The report concluded that Syria is not safe for the return of refugees. HRW detailed cases of arrest and arbitrary detention, torture, kidnappings, extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and sexual violence for those who returned to Syria. [HRW]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Providence
Firefight on Beirut Streets is a Warning to US and Lebanon
Steven Howard

Howard writes, “Onlookers have warned about increasing instability in Lebanon in recent years. While the US has strongly supported security and humanitarian assistance for Lebanon, multiple administrations have attempted to pivot away from the Middle East to East Asia. The October 14 clashes are the latest reminder that proactive action must be taken immediately to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people and to reform their political system. The US must prioritize combating corruption and incentivize reform in Lebanon. The clock is ticking.”

Read more here

Middle East Institute
Making Sense of the Beirut Clashes
Christophe Abi-Nassif

Nassif writes, “If there’s one key takeaway from [last] week’s developments, it’s that observers, both domestic and foreign, should keep their eyes on the ball: shielding the port blast investigation and ensuring it continues unabated. Lebanon’s political establishment has mastered the art of diversion and manipulation, and Lebanese political parties are once again leveraging religious affiliations, identity politics, and threats of civil war to divert attention away from a publicly supported investigation that may implicate nearly all of them. For years, politicians have cemented their favorite, forcibly imposed tradeoff: civil peace and stability vs. justice and accountability. This approach has generally been successful — more particularly since the general amnesty law was passed in 1991 — and has often resulted in inconclusive or botched investigations as well as political reconciliations that favored maintaining the status quo over finding and acting upon the truth.”

Read more here

The Lebanese Center for Policy Studies
Expanding the Prerogatives of Caretaker Governments in Times of Crisis
Ziyad Baroud

Baroud writes, “Caretaker governments became much more frequent and prolonged in recent years. While the average period to form a government was six days between 1989 and 2005, it increased to 100 days between 2005 and 2016,1 reaching up to a full year in two recent cases: Tammam Salam’s (2014) cabinet took 315 days to be formed, while Hassan Diab presided over a caretaker government for more than a year (from August 2020 to September 2021). The prerogatives of caretaker governments are, however, subject to different interpretations, and a point of controversy among Lebanon’s politicians. Given that Lebanon’s pressing economic and financial crisis often required critical decisions from Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s caretaker government, this brief seeks to clarify the prerogatives that the constitution, legal jurisprudence, doctrine, and academics assign to caretaker governments, as well as what citizens can expect from them.

Read more here

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 10/19/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Lebanon’s Parliament Votes for March 27 Election
Today Lebanon’s Parliament confirmed March 27, 2022 as the parliamentary election date, originally scheduled for May of next year. MPs also voted against adding six additional seats for expatriate votes, instead approving their votes for the 128 MP seats. They also voted against a quota for women, but it will be discussed in a committee and revisited in a later parliamentary session. [Al Jazeera] Further, MPs voted against voting megacenters and the magnetic voting card. [Naharnet]

IMF Technical Discussions Under Way
After the announcement that Lebanon has resumed talks with the IMF a couple weeks ago, a senior IMF official confirmed that technical discussions to address financial losses have started. Last week Prime Minister Miqati said that his cabinet would provide the IMF with necessary financial figures in the coming days. [Reuters]

Hezbollah Chief Announces 100,000 Fighters
Yesterday Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah announced that the group has 100,000 trained fighters in an apparent attempt to deter Lebanon’s armed forces while accusing Samir Geagea, head of the Lebanon Forces party, of attempting to start a civil war. He further added that Hezbollah and Amal expect to see results in the investigation into last week’s violence in Beirut, calling for accountability. [AP]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Middle East Institute
Making Sense of the Beirut Clashes
Christopher Abi-Nassif

Nassif writes, “If there’s one key takeaway from [last] week’s developments, it’s that observers, both domestic and foreign, should keep their eyes on the ball: shielding the port blast investigation and ensuring it continues unabated. Lebanon’s political establishment has mastered the art of diversion and manipulation, and Lebanese political parties are once again leveraging religious affiliations, identity politics, and threats of civil war to divert attention away from a publicly supported investigation that may implicate nearly all of them. For years, politicians have cemented their favorite, forcibly imposed tradeoff: civil peace and stability vs. justice and accountability. This approach has generally been successful — more particularly since the general amnesty law was passed in 1991 — and has often resulted in inconclusive or botched investigations as well as political reconciliations that favored maintaining the status quo over finding and acting upon the truth.”

Read more here

The Lebanese Center for Policy Studies
Expanding the Prerogatives of Caretaker Governments in Times of Crisis
Ziyad Baroud

Baroud writes, “Caretaker governments became much more frequent and prolonged in recent years. While the average period to form a government was six days between 1989 and 2005, it increased to 100 days between 2005 and 2016,1 reaching up to a full year in two recent cases: Tammam Salam’s (2014) cabinet took 315 days to be formed, while Hassan Diab presided over a caretaker government for more than a year (from August 2020 to September 2021). The prerogatives of caretaker governments are, however, subject to different interpretations, and a point of controversy among Lebanon’s politicians. Given that Lebanon’s pressing economic and financial crisis often required critical decisions from Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s caretaker government, this brief seeks to clarify the prerogatives that the constitution, legal jurisprudence, doctrine, and academics assign to caretaker governments, as well as what citizens can expect from them.

Read more here

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 10/18/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Demonstrators Mark Two-Year Anniversary of October 17 Protests
After last week’s violent clashes in Beirut, the streets of Lebanon’s capital remained relatively quiet yesterday on the two-year anniversary of the October 17 protests. Still dozens of protesters marched toward Martyrs’ Square in a symbolic stand for change. The mass protests in 2019 gathered Lebanese across all sects who called for an overthrow of the political elite. Those that demonstrated today are hoping for change in the 2022 parliamentary elections. [Al Arabiya]

Prime Minister Miqati Delays Cabinet Session Until Finding Solution
Prime Minister Najib Miqati said that he has no intentions to resign after last week’s violence. He said that he will not call for a cabinet sessions until there is “a solution to the problem,” noting that he did not want to provoke any party. Regarding the judiciary, Miqati stated he will not interfere in the work of the judges. [Naharnet]

Families of Beirut Blast Victims Reaffirm Support for Judge Bitar
Over the weekend families of the victims of the Beirut Port explosion expressed their support for Judge Tarek Bitar’s investigation in a counter-effort to Hezbollah’s calls for the judge’s resignation. The families’ statement was given after their spokesman unexpectedly released a video calling for Bitar to step down. The families say they have put their “faith in the investigative judge Tarek Bitar.” [AP]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Washington Post
Lebanon’s People Face a Deadly False Choice: Impunity or Chaos
Mohamad Bazzi

Bazzi writes, “By targeting members of the political elite, Bitar poses an unprecedented threat to Lebanon’s post-civil war order built on amnesty and amnesia. He is seeking accountability in a country plagued by political interference that undermines the judicial system…Today, the Lebanese are being offered a choice by the ruling parties and ex-warlords that have devastated their country: Forget accountability for the port explosion or risk all-out conflict on the streets. But this has been Lebanon’s false choice — between impunity and chaos — since the end of the civil war. The Lebanese compromised on accountability three decades ago, and yet their rulers have consistently failed to provide stability.”

Read more here

Carnegie Middle East Center
An Investigation in Lebanon Has Led to Armed Clashes Reminiscent of the Civil War
Michael Young

Young writes, “A major problem is that Hezbollah is now acting as the supreme authority in Lebanon, when it has no legitimacy to do so. In a profoundly sectarian context, in which diverse communities regard the efforts by one religious group to impose its hegemony as an existential threat, this can be perilous. The Sunnis made that mistake in 1975–1976, as did the Maronites in 1982–1984. Moreover, Hezbollah is the proxy of an outside power with scant consideration for Lebanon’s complicated and volatile sectarian system. Unless the party addresses its sectarian isolation, lowers tensions with the other communities, and allows the state to revive itself economically, the country’s already unstable peace will disintegrate even more.”

Read more here

Arab News
Is Lebanon on Verge of Another Civil War?
Dr. Danila Koleilant Khatib

Khatib writes, “Ultimately, this traumatic episode in the current crisis is unlikely to lead to a civil war. However, what does actually happen next will depend greatly on what concessions Hezbollah is willing to make to ensure its survival. Is it willing to accept the investigation and sacrifice one or two of its high-ranking members if it means it continues to hold a seat at the table of power? We shall see.”

Read more here

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: 10/17/2021

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October 17, 2021
Violent Clashes Erupt in Beirut
Lebanon’s Education Sector in Danger of Collapse
Kingdom Come by Michael Young

Violent Clashes Erupt in Beirut
Violent clashes erupted in Beirut this week during Hezbollah and Amal protests calling for Judge Tarek Bitar’s removal. At least six people were killed and dozens were wounded after an exchange of gunfire broke out that involved pistols, automatic rifles, and rocket-propelled grenades. Hezbollah and Amal said that armed groups fired at protesters during their demonstration from rooftops. The Lebanese Forces had also gathered protesters outside of Justice Palace. [AP] The shooting reportedly spread out from the Tayyooneh roundabout, which was a fault line in Lebanon’s civil war. [Washington Post]

RESPONSE

“When reading about this week’s events, Americans may question why the US should even care about a country that will not stand up against the corruption and domination of the few in their own country. The answer is simple: stability and security in the region are in the US interests and it is essential to halt the social, political, and economic deterioration in Lebanon before it escalates and threatens US interests region wide. The Lebanese Army has performed skillfully during this confrontation and should be supported by the US. The US should also support civil society players as they prepare for an election in the Spring, which they hope will elect a new, clean, and reform-minded government capable and committed to addressing the needs of the Lebanese people.”

-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel

Lebanon’s Education Sector in Danger of Collapse
Human Rights Watch warned this week that Lebanon’s education system is at risk of collapse. HRW suggests that international donors channel aid more directly to schools, teachers, and school-children’s families. Researcher Aya Majzoub said, “The Lebanese government is abandoning schools, teachers, and parents to muddle through the acute economic crisis and the pandemic on their own, exacerbating the inequalities between the few children whose parents can afford a quality education and the many who cannot. There needs to be an all-hands-on-deck response from the government, donors, and the UN to avert a disaster for children and the country.” [HRW]

RESPONSE

“What is happening in the education sector, from K through university, is beyond belief. Younger students face a third year without classes; the currency devaluation is forcing tens of thousands of students to shift from private to already overwhelmed public schools; and the lack of essential supplies and power make classrooms into makeshift boxes to pass time without materials or functioning computers. No longer the educational center of the region, Lebanon has compromised the futures of hundreds of thousands of its youth, leaving them to wonder what’s next and will they be ready.”

-ATFL Policy Director Jean AbiNader

Opinion Piece

Kingdom Come by Michael Young
The Carnegie Middle East Center’s Michael Young wrote this week on Saudi Arabia’s declining engagement in Lebanon. Young writes, “The maximalist Saudi position with regard to Lebanon is not only a case of political opportunity cost, it is creating a situation that is only bolstering Hezbollah’s and Iran’s hegemony.” [Carnegie Middle East Center]

RESPONSE

“Saudi Arabia can’t seem to break its patterns of acting out of pique, ignoring friends when they become inconvenient, and making short-term decisions that undermine its longer term objectives. This is not to diminish its dissatisfaction with its former allies in Lebanon led by former PM Saad Hariri or its concern that Lebanon cannot act independent of the ruling troika of FPM, Amal, and Hezbollah. Yet its current policies towards Lebanon, as Young points out, only ensure outcomes that further threaten Saudi interests in the region. To grow into the leadership role that it aspires to, the Kingdom’s leaders need to spend time strengthening alliances, tolerating miscues, and following strategies based on a vision that reflects sensibilities beyond its place on the Peninsula.”

-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 10/15/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Lebanon Observes Day of Mourning
After yesterday’s violent clashes in Beirut that took the lives of six people, Lebanon is observing a day of mourning. Schools and business are closed and Beirut streets are quiet in preparations for funerals for the lives lost. [NY Times] Thursday’s protests were initiated by Hezbollah and Amal groups that urged for Judge Tarek Bitar’s removal from the Beirut Port blast investigation. [AP] Today the Lebanese Judge Association announced that it will no longer accept requests to remove Bitar from his position, stressing the need for judicial independence. [The 961] In an interview yesterday Prime Minister Miqati said it is not the job of politicians to interfere in the judiciary. [Reuters]

International Community Responds to Beirut Clashes
The US State Department called for a deescalation of tensions in response to yesterday’s violent clashes in Beirut and emphasized its support for Lebanon’s judicial independence, stating judges “must be free from intimidation, including that of Hezbollah.” [US State Dept] The White House reiterated these statements and urged Lebanese authorities to complete a “swift and transparent” investigation to Beirut Port explosion. [White House] The EU urged similar sentiments calling for the “utmost restraint to avoid further senseless loss of life.” [Naharnet] Moscow also called on all sides to “show restraint” and noted its concerns about growing political tensions in Lebanon. [Naharnet]

Former Prime Ministers Call For International Investigation
In a joint statement released today, former Prime Ministers Fouad Saniora, Saad Hariri, and Tammam Salam condemned yesterday’s clashes and called on Lebanon’s parliament to lift immunities on officials in the Beirut Port investigation. They further requested an international or Arab-led probe into the port blast. [Naharnet]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Carnegie Middle East Center
Kingdom Come
Michael Young

Young writes, “The maximalist Saudi position with regard to Lebanon is not only a case of political opportunity cost, it is creating a situation that is only bolstering Hezbollah’s and Iran’s hegemony. What is most disturbing is that such an approach hews closely to the line of conservative politicians and think tanks in Washington, who cannot see that their harsh recommendations for Lebanon will lead to the very outcomes they purportedly want to avoid. Politics is about acquiring leverage, not killing the baby. Lebanon’s ties to Saudi Arabia are essential, but Riyadh should recognize that the best way of making this clear is to compel Iran and Hezbollah to give the kingdom a seat at the table.”

Read more here

Middle East Institute
Lebanon’s Power Grid Shuts Down
Jessica Obeid

Obeid writes, “The power sector’s woes are bound to worsen with every passing day, creating a growing economic and humanitarian crisis. Urgent action toward a sustainable solution is needed. The latter, however, cannot take place in an environment of vested interests and political interference. The new government has assumed tremendous responsibility and its actions to address the long-standing problems in the power sector, or lack thereof, will be one of its biggest tests.”

Read more here

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.

Rule of Law – Another Fatality of Lebanon’s Port Explosion

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The twists and turns plaguing the investigations into the Beirut Port blast are hardly the stuff of a great mystery novel; this is business as usual in Lebanon. Faced with the upcoming March elections, moved forward from May to undercut opposition readiness to contest vulnerable seats, the ruling oligarchy has little interest in providing ammunition to its opponents.

The October 14 clashes in Beirut, initially resulting in 6 dead and 30 wounded are just the latest sign that some groups in Lebanon have entirely discounted the role of the government in establishing order over the country. This time the issue is the opposition of the Hezbollah/Amal/Free Patriotic Movement coalition to the judge investigating the explosions calling several of its members to testify.

Until now, attempts at an independent investigation have been neutralized by the government. The American FBI halted its investigation in October 2020, after declaring that the amount of detonated ammonium nitrate material was equivalent to 552 tons, even though the original shipment was some 2740 tons. That discrepancy has never been addressed. The Bureau’s report was handed over to a Lebanese judge and has yet to be released – even partially – to the public.

Three months after the blast, a German firm was given a contract to clean up the port area without any inference of the need to protect the site for a continued investigation. Ten months after the explosion, in May 2021, the French presented their report on the blast, consigning the continuation of the investigation to the Lebanese authorities.

Which brings us to the subject of the revolving judges. Judge Fadi Sawan, the first judge appointed to the investigation, tried to call several members of Parliament and ex-ministers to testify. He was removed following a legal complaint submitted by the very same members who questioned his impartiality. As the Washington Post noted, “After trying to interrogate powerful former ministers and political leaders, Sawan was removed and replaced by Bitar. But he also struggled to break through Lebanon’s culture of corruption and political influence that prevented the law from holding anyone of consequence accountable.”

The Reuters coverage of the demonstrations pointed out that “Though none of its members have been targeted by the probe, Hezbollah has accused Bitar of conducting a politicized probe only focused on certain people. These include some of its closest allies, among them senior figures in the Shi’ite Amal Movement who occupied ministerial posts.”

Judge Tarek Bitar’s efforts have been similarly thwarted by complaints arguing, among other things, that he was biased because his house had been damaged in the blast. Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah accused Bitar of using “the blood of the victims to serve political interests,” and effectively called for his replacement. Fortunately, the Court of Cassation, currently the highest court in the land, rejected the argument and said that his special investigation was not under its jurisdiction.

On the question of immunity for those called to testify, which includes former Prime Minister Hassan Diab, newly installed Prime Minister Najib Mikati defended Judge Bitar’s right to pursue an investigation but added the caveat that the Constitution called for senior officials to be tried in a special court. This potential loophole raises another question of whether or not this Constitutional rule applies to former senior officials as well.

The twisting in the wind of an impartial and independent investigation into the Beirut Port blast defies rule of law principles as well as prospects of justice for those who lost loved ones in the blast, were injured, or suffered property loss. The US State Department and others clearly condemned threats against the judiciary and again called for a full investigation.

The international community has called for an independent investigation on numerous occasions, even tying it to Lebanon’s access to development funds. Whether or not the IMF and others stay the course and leverage the implementation of an investigation as part of the economic recovery plan has yet to be seen as Lebanon descends even further into desperate straits.

If Lebanon’s leaders continue to defy even the semblance of respect for the notion of a clean investigation, they will lose any remaining trust with the Lebanese people and the bloodshed of October 14 will not likely be an isolated incident. Without strong intervention by the government and the security services, Lebanon will remain in a moral and kinetic crossfire, and its credibility and integrity as an independent state will continue to diminish.

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 10/14/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Violent Clashes Erupt During Protests in Beirut
Violent clashes erupted in Beirut today amidst Hezbollah and Amal protests calling for Judge Tarek Bitar’s removal. At least six people were killed and dozens were wounded after an exchange of gunfire broke out that involved pistols, automatic rifles, and rocket-propelled grenades. Hezbollah and Amal said that armed groups fired at protesters during their demonstration from rooftops. The Lebanese Forces had also called for supporters to gather at the Justice Palace. [AP] The shooting reportedly spread out from the Tayyooneh roundabout, which was a fault line in Lebanon’s civil war. [Washington Post] The Lebanese Army has arrested nine people since the gunfire erupted. [Al Jazeera]

US Under Secretary of State Announces Additional LAF Support
US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland announced an additional $67 million in support of to the Lebanese Armed Forces today. She said that the US is working with Lebanese authorities and the World Bank to help Lebanon as it faces severe economic crisis. Nuland made the announcement in Beirut and further offered the United States’ condolences following today’s eruption of violence in the Lebanon’s capital. [Reuters]

Lebanese Pound Drops Back Down to 20,500
The Lebanese pound is dropping again after recent events in Lebanon. The pound hit a record low at LL23,000 to the dollar on the black market this summer, but the value was brought up to LL15,000 after Lebanon’s new government was formed following a year of deadlock. Yesterday, the pound is back down to LL20,500 to the dollar on the black market. [Al Arabiya]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Carnegie Middle East Center
Kingdom Come
Michael Young

Young writes, “The maximalist Saudi position with regard to Lebanon is not only a case of political opportunity cost, it is creating a situation that is only bolstering Hezbollah’s and Iran’s hegemony. What is most disturbing is that such an approach hews closely to the line of conservative politicians and think tanks in Washington, who cannot see that their harsh recommendations for Lebanon will lead to the very outcomes they purportedly want to avoid. Politics is about acquiring leverage, not killing the baby. Lebanon’s ties to Saudi Arabia are essential, but Riyadh should recognize that the best way of making this clear is to compel Iran and Hezbollah to give the kingdom a seat at the table.”

Read more here

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 10/13/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Cabinet Session to Discuss Bitar is Postponed
Heightened tensions over the Beirut Port blast investigation led to the postponement of today’s scheduled cabinet session that was supposed to discuss disputes over Judge Tarek Bitar’s probe. An official source told Reuters that a framework is being designed on how the cabinet should address the dispute. [Reuters]

US Reiterates Support for Judicial Independence in Lebanon
Spokesperson Ned Price reiterated yesterday that the State Department opposes “intimidation of any country’s judiciary” and that the US supports Lebanon’s judicial independence. Price added, “judges must be free from threats and intimidation, including Hezbollah’s.” [State Department] Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah responded today by accusing the United States of interfering in Lebanon’s port investigation. [AP]

Lebanese Pound Drops Back Down to 20,500
The Lebanese pound is dropping again after recent events in Lebanon. The pound hit a record low at LL23,000 to the dollar on the black market this summer, but the value was brought up to LL15,000 after Lebanon’s new government was formed following a year of deadlock. Today, the pound is back down to LL20,500 to the dollar on the black market. [Al Arabiya]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Carnegie Middle East Center
Kingdom Come
Michael Young

Young writes, “The maximalist Saudi position with regard to Lebanon is not only a case of political opportunity cost, it is creating a situation that is only bolstering Hezbollah’s and Iran’s hegemony. What is most disturbing is that such an approach hews closely to the line of conservative politicians and think tanks in Washington, who cannot see that their harsh recommendations for Lebanon will lead to the very outcomes they purportedly want to avoid. Politics is about acquiring leverage, not killing the baby. Lebanon’s ties to Saudi Arabia are essential, but Riyadh should recognize that the best way of making this clear is to compel Iran and Hezbollah to give the kingdom a seat at the table.”

Read more here

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 10/12/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Legal Complaints Against Bitar Suspend the Investigation
On Monday Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah criticized the lead investigator of the Beirut Port blast Judge Tarek Bitar and called on authorities to replace him with a “truthful and transparent” investigator. Nasrallah accused Bitar of politicizing the investigation and targeting Hezbollah allies. [AP] Since then, two former ministers’ legal complaints have resulted in the suspension of Bitar’s investigation for the second time in less than a month. The former ministers that filed the lawsuits had been scheduled for questioning by Bitar. [Reuters]

Food Prices Increase as Fuel Subsidies Lift
As Lebanon increasingly faces electricity blackouts, the country’s food crisis is worsening. Fuel subsidies are being gradually lifted resulting in increased food prices, for example, bread prices were raised this week for the sixth time this year. In April the World Food Program assisted one in six people in Lebanon with food, but now since the fuel crisis they say they support one in four. [Al Jazeera]

Zahrani Oil Storage Tank Caught Fire
Over the weekend Lebanon faced a state-wide black out that lasted a full day when the Zahrani and Deir Ammar power plants ran out of fuel. After the Lebanese army provided emergency fuel, the electricity grid came back on Sunday. However the emergency supplies are expected to only last a few days thus the central bank has released $100 million for fuel imports. [New York Times] Yesterday an oil storage tank caught fire when gasoline was being transferred from one tank to another in Zahrani. Firefighters were able to put out the blaze after 66,000 gallons of gasoline burnt out. [AP]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Latest NDI Poll Results Show 45% of Lebanese Don’t Intend to Vote in 2022
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “A key instrument of change that is mentioned in any analysis of Lebanon’s current set of crises and prospects for recovery is the holding of free and fair elections. With the recent rescheduling of the upcoming 2022 elections, shifted from early May to late March, there is an even greater sense of déjà vu that the results will maintain the status quo and not auger a better future for Lebanon. In fact, one analyst suggested that the March date was chosen to thwart an unfavorable shifting in voter registrations, due to take place on March 31. There are many initiatives going on at the same time. Opposition groups are working on a common strategy; old line parties are angling to produce joint lists in order to frustrate the opposition; and indicators show that most people perceive the elections, under the current leadership and system, to be a waste of time.”

Read more here

Human Rights Watch
Lebanon: Planning Lapses Endanger School Year

Human Rights Watch warns that Lebanon’s education system is at risk of collapse. HRW suggests that international donors channel aid more directly to schools, teachers, and school-children’s families. Researcher Aya Majzoub said, “The Lebanese government is abandoning schools, teachers, and parents to muddle through the acute economic crisis and the pandemic on their own, exacerbating the inequalities between the few children whose parents can afford a quality education and the many who cannot. There needs to be an all-hands-on-deck response from the government, donors, and the UN to avert a disaster for children and the country.”

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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.