Lebanon Daily News Brief 04/29/2022

DAILY NEWS

Army Thwarts New Maritime Trafficking Attempt
Today, the Lebanese military announced the detainment of five people in Tripoli related to their preparations for smuggling at least 85 migrants to Europe by boat. This follow’s the recent tragedy in which a boat carrying more than sixty people capsized off the coast of Tripoli. [AP News]

Higher Defence Council Places All Security Forces in Hands of ISF During Elections
According to L’Orient Today, The Higher Defense Council Friday decided to place ‘all the security and military forces in the hands of the Interior Ministry on May 15,’ ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for that day, the presidency’s Twitter account reported.” [L’Orient Today]

 

OPINION & ANALYSIS

A Love Story – Lebanon’s Revival
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “The facilities for the elderly occupy a large portion of the activities at Saint Joseph Monastery, with its state-of-the-art nursing home for up to 100 residents, fully serviced by the nuns at a cost significantly less  than other private facilities. The economic situation, the financial instability in the country, the devaluation of the Lebanese currency, the scarcity of job opportunities, and the massive proportion of people living below the poverty line all generate a daily line of folks seeking help and sustenance at the Monastery’s door. Saint Joseph Monastery, however, is also not immune to the economic crisis and yet, still strives to offer in-kind assistance with basic food, clothing, dairy products for children; tuition assistance to deserved and needy students; and financial assistance for medications, especially for chronic illnesses. Sister Raghida and her team continue to extend a helping hand to their less fortunate. One of her objectives is to continue to create job opportunities in the Monastery’s dairy farm and agricultural fields so people can become self-sufficient and partners in the charitable work of the Monastery,  reflecting the Gospel admonition that “whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, you do unto me” (Matthew 25:40), as well as the quote that stuck with me from Sister Raghida, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

Read More Here

Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center 
Why The Kingdom Came
Michael Young

Young writes, “This effective ‘regional pluralization’ of Lebanese politics has good and bad sides. Limiting Iranian hegemony and compelling Hezbollah to take into consideration the interests of the regional sponsors of its mainly Sunni political counterparts could make for a more balanced system. Iran cannot be kicked out of Lebanon, the Arab states appear to acknowledge, but nor can the country be dragged out of the Arab orbit, since a clear majority of the population opposes such a direction. The downside is that regional rivalries may paralyze the domestic political scene. But when was that ever not the case? If it can help produce a modus vivendi, Lebanon could find more stability than it has seen in a while.”

Read More Here

The Economist 
Lebanon Goes To The Polls Amid Its Worst-Ever Financial Crisis

“One way to predict the future in Lebanon is to look at election billboards and imagine the opposite. The last time voters chose a parliament, in 2018, roads across the country were lined with cheery messages. ‘Our port will come’, read one, referring to a tourist harbour that would woo cruise ships and boost the economy. Another hailed Lebanon’s financial stability: ‘Currencies around us are collapsing, but our lira is firm.’ In the years that followed, Lebanon’s main port was wrecked by one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever seen (pictured above), and the lira lost more than 94% of its value. The same pattern may apply this year. Lebanon will hold legislative elections on May 15th. Nattily dressed candidates grin from ubiquitous billboards. The most common word on them seems to be ‘change’. Everyone promises reform. Yet the most likely result is more of the same.”

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.

A Love Story – Lebanon’s Revival

When I was in Lebanon recently, after the formal delegation ended, I stayed on to visit family and to continue to observe change makers who innovate, nurture, and sustain Lebanon’s finest resources – its natural environment and its people. It’s no coincidence that the majority of those I met with were women – long saluted and yet seldom acknowledged as full partners in Lebanon’s rich history.

As a delegation, the ATFL had the privilege of visiting Beit el Baraka in Beirut, https:\\beitelbaraka.org, which supports 65 charity organizations across the country; and in Tripoli we stopped at Sanabel An Nour, http://www.sanabelnour.org/, a women-directed and -staffed organization providing a wide range of services to the vulnerable and marginalized. In addition, we met with representatives of Rotary International who are involved in critical grassroots projects as well.

When I began my private visits, I was hosted by Dr. Corrine Abi Nader, who will soon launch a pediatric care center at Hôtel Dieu de France, one of the hospitals damaged during the Beirut Port explosion.  I also met with environmentalists and activists – all of whom work locally to change the sense of dignity and hope for their beneficiaries. All of their stories will be the focus of my next series that looks at the spirit of Lebanon and the people who keep it alive.

For now, I want to introduce you to the Maronite Sisters who live and work at the Saint Joseph Monastery and Tomb of Saint Rafqa in the Batroun District, north of Beirut. Saint Rafqa (1832-1914) is the second saint in Lebanon’s modern history.

I had never been to their facilities before and thank cousin Simon for his persistence in arranging my visit.

I was surprised to see fully modern structures providing space for a monastery, a home for the elderly, and lots of tilled grounds. We were greeted by the Mother Superior, Sister Raghida Antoun, who has an MBA in Administration from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee (Springfield), MA and is simultaneously a formidable and lovely person. In January of 2021, she was elected Superior of Saint Joseph Monastery. Her intention was, and still is, to leverage her skills and combine her global educational experience in order to achieve the objectives of her Order.

The Sisters both interact with visitors to the shrine and minister to the local people of the area, working with the youth, those who are preparing for marriage, married couples, or those who are still discerning their way in life. I was immediately taken in hand by Sister Raghida for a tour of the facilities and grounds.

We started with a breakfast comprised of food totally sourced on their land, and some stimulating conversation. We were joined by the multitasking Sister Lea Lahoud, who is currently the Monastery’s accountant. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, with a Master’s in Patient Counseling.

After the catastrophic explosion of the Port, Sister Lea was frequently seen in Beirut, where she not only assisted the many volunteers with the clean-up but also sought out those who had no one to look after them. All of her efforts were done with the “widow’s mite.” As a multi-talented graphic artist, illustrator, and author, she gave me two illustrated softbacks for children – one called Got Celiac? Me Too and another, her memoir, called The Sister and the Bee.” It’s not hard to see why I so admire both Sisters so much.

The facilities for the elderly occupy a large portion of the activities at Saint Joseph Monastery, with its state-of-the-art nursing home for up to 100 residents, fully serviced by the nuns at a cost significantly less  than other private facilities. The economic situation, the financial instability in the country, the devaluation of the Lebanese currency, the scarcity of job opportunities, and the massive proportion of people living below the poverty line all generate a daily line of folks seeking help and sustenance at the Monastery’s door.

Saint Joseph Monastery, however, is also not immune to the economic crisis and yet, still strives to offer in-kind assistance with basic food, clothing, dairy products for children; tuition assistance to deserved and needy students; and financial assistance for medications, especially for chronic illnesses.

Sister Raghida and her team continue to extend a helping hand to their less fortunate. One of her objectives is to continue to create job opportunities in the Monastery’s dairy farm and agricultural fields so people can become self-sufficient and partners in the charitable work of the Monastery,  reflecting the Gospel admonition that “whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, you do unto me” (Matthew 25:40), as well as the quote that stuck with me from Sister Raghida, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

 

Saint Joseph Monastery – Tomb of Saint Rafqa established a nonprofit organization (501/C/3) in the United States to support its humanitarian and educational ministries as well as its elderly care facility and sustain the mission, objectives, and vision of the Monastery in Lebanon. And so you can partake of their excellent work and be awarded in a monthly prayer service for all its benefactors and their families, both living and deceased.

To support the essential work of the nuns, the options are:

PayPal:                    strafqamonastery@gmail.com

Venmo:                  St. Joseph Monastery St Rafqa@strafqa Zelle:                                  strafqamonastery@gmail.com

Bank transfer: Log into your bank’s website and choose “bill pay” services and add “Saint Joseph Monastery-Tomb of Saint Rafqa” as a “payee” using the following address: 14252 Culver Drive A818 Irvine, CA 92604

 

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 04/28/2022

 

DAILY NEWS

General Security Suspends Appointment Scheduling For Passport Processing
According to L’Orient Today, “General Security announced Thursday that as of Wednesday it has suspended scheduling appointments on its online platform for people wishing to obtain passports, citing the reason for the decision as “the company contracted was not paid its due money.” General Security did not offer any indication of how long the suspension is likely to remain in place. [L’Orient Today]

UAE Releases Lebanese National, Detained Over Tweet
According to AP News, “The United Arab Emirates released on Thursday a Lebanese physician after holding him for more than three weeks over a tweet he published years ago, a person familiar with the case said.” [AP News]

 

OPINION & ANALYSIS

A Love Story – Lebanon’s Revival
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “The facilities for the elderly occupy a large portion of the activities at Saint Joseph Monastery, with its state-of-the-art nursing home for up to 100 residents, fully serviced by the nuns at a cost significantly less  than other private facilities. The economic situation, the financial instability in the country, the devaluation of the Lebanese currency, the scarcity of job opportunities, and the massive proportion of people living below the poverty line all generate a daily line of folks seeking help and sustenance at the Monastery’s door. Saint Joseph Monastery, however, is also not immune to the economic crisis and yet, still strives to offer in-kind assistance with basic food, clothing, dairy products for children; tuition assistance to deserved and needy students; and financial assistance for medications, especially for chronic illnesses. Sister Raghida and her team continue to extend a helping hand to their less fortunate. One of her objectives is to continue to create job opportunities in the Monastery’s dairy farm and agricultural fields so people can become self-sufficient and partners in the charitable work of the Monastery,  reflecting the Gospel admonition that “whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, you do unto me” (Matthew 25:40), as well as the quote that stuck with me from Sister Raghida, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

Read More Here

The961
New Statistics Show Almost Half Of The Lebanese People Are Looking To Leave
Karine Keuchkerian

Keuchkerian writes, “The Arab Barometer, which is the largest repository of publicly available data on citizens’ opinions in the MENA region, released on Tuesday worrying data about the numbers of Lebanese people now seeking to leave their country for opportunities abroad. According to its new survey covering 15 countries between 2020 and the spring of 2021, the Lebanese people are today the most pessimistic about their economic future. One of the growing economic worries revolves around the increasing cost of living. ‘Unsurprisingly, about half of citizens (48%) are seeking to leave their homeland for better opportunities abroad.’ That’s about 1 in 2 people today in Lebanon.”

Read More Here

Oxfam Research Reports
Analyzing Voter Turnout and Behavior in Lebanon: Political Change In Times of Crisis
Dana Abed, Rihab Sawaya, Nadim Tabbal

Abed, Sawaya, and Tabbal write, “In May 2022, Lebanon is hosting its first parliamentary elections since the popular uprising of October 2019, when massive protests took place to denounce the current ruling elites. This research looks at voter turnout and behavior on the eve of the elections and examines the will for political change. It argues that in the current Lebanese context, there needs to be further political awareness-raising, and campaigns should be more inclusive of women and the queer community. Independent campaigns should focus on developing strong governing capacities that voters can trust, and create further space for civic and political engagement on the local and national levels.”

Read Full Study 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 04/27/2022

DAILY NEWS

Minister of Economy and Trade: Lack of Internal Agreement Jeopardizes Full IMF Deal
According to Reuters, Minister of Economy and Trade Amin Salam spoke on the status of the IMF deal with Lebanon saying, “We won’t be able to secure a full IMF deal without the banking restructuring. It’s a major piece of the prior actions . . . You need the government, the central bank and the banking sector to be on the same page. You can’t do it if they’re not all on one page.” The article adds, “The ABL called the plan ‘disastrous’, however, and said it would leave banks and depositors shouldering the ‘major portion’ of what the government says is $72 billion in losses.” [Reuters]

Protesters Block Roads, Tear Down Electoral Posters
According to Naharnet, “Protesters blocked several Beirut roads overnight and removed pictures of parliamentary elections candidates, reportedly over lengthy power cuts, as senior security sources described the move as politicized. Media reports said hundreds of protesters, some of them on motorbikes, blocked the roads of Cola and the Sports City and smashed posters of parliamentary candidates.” [Naharnet]

 

OPINION & ANALYSIS

AP News
Lebanon Vote Holds Little Hope For Change Despite Disasters
AJ Naddaf

Naddaf writes, “In the lead-up to the vote, streets have been festooned with giant billboards and posters of candidates with improbable promises of change. It’s a jarring sign of the money being spent on campaigns as the currency continues to slide and inflation, poverty and hunger grow . . . ‘If they are to be elected again, I would find it a direct insult to all of the country and all of the victims of the blast, to every normal human being left in this country,’ said Paul Naggar, the father of one of the youngest victims of the blast, 3-year-old Alexandra. Naggar, director of the newly formed political advocacy group Kulluna Irada, said the election was a historic opportunity but expressed frustration at the opposition’s failure to unite.”

Read More Here

New/Lines Magazine
How A Massacre Of Nearly 300 In Syria Was Revealed
Uğur Ümit Üngör and Annsar Shahhoud

Üngör and Shahhoud write, “So far, much of the attention in public debates has gone to the clashes during the war or to the regime’s merciless bombardments and airstrikes on opposition-held territories. But the neighborhoods under regime control, just on the other side of the front lines, have been comparatively neglected. The Tadamon massacre videos, our interviews with perpetrators and survivor testimony demonstrate that there was a full-blown, murderous cleansing operation unfolding. As we deepened our research, we realized that this massacre was a snapshot in a much wider policy of destruction and extermination that the regime enacted in the southern suburbs. The extent of this genocidal microcosm in this area went far beyond this one videotaped massacre and includes at least four forms of violence: systematic mass killings, imprisonment, sexual violence and economic exploitation.”

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 04/26/2022

DAILY NEWS

Military Tasked With Investigating Boat Sinking Off Coast of Tripoli
According to AP News, The military has been tasked with conducting a ‘transparent investigations into the circumstances behind the incident,’ under the supervision of the judiciary, said Information Minister Ziad Makari following an emergency Cabinet session Tuesday.” [AP News]

France, KSA Announce $30 Million Fund for Lebanon
Today the governments of France and Saudi Arabia announced a $30 million, joint development fund aimed at supporting Lebanon’s food security and health sector via humanitarian projects aimed at providing emergency aid – especially in the form of food assistance and supported access to primary healthcare – for Lebanon’s most vulnerable communities. [Reuters]

Session on Capital Controls Law Cancelled 
According to L’Orient Today, the joint committee session on the capital control law was cancelled, which coincided with large protests outside the Lebanese Parliament building: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri had referred the draft law to the Finance and Budget Committee and the Administration and Justice Committee, which were able to convene in three sessions to discuss it, the last of which was held Tuesday. An agreement hasn’t been reached by the joint committees due to pressure from the protesters who blocked a number of MPs from entering Parliament, insisting on discussing the economic recovery plan first.” [L’Orient Today]

 

OPINION & ANALYSIS

The961
Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Voting From The Diaspora For Lebanon’s Elections
Asem Awad

Awad writes, “The Lebanese diaspora and expats will get the chance to vote in the 2022 Electionsbefore their counterparts in Lebanon. Local elections will take place on May 15th while abroad elections will happen on May 6th and May 8th. Out-of-country voting dates differ from one country to the other, you can check with your respective local diplomatic mission or check out: Here Are All The Voting Locations For The Lebanese Elections. The dates for abroad elections are determined by time zones and country weekend days policy. In simple terms, voting will take place on either a Friday or a Sunday, depending on holidays in the country of residence.”

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 04/25/2022

DAILY NEWS

Thirty Still Missing, Several Dead From Boat Sinking Off Tripoli Coast
According to L’Orient Today, “Emotions ran high Monday in Tripoli during the funeral of those who died Saturday night after a boat sank off Qalamoun. While the official death toll recorded remains six, more than thirty people are still missing, and an intensive search continues by land, air and sea.” [L’Orient Today]

According to AP News, “Angry residents attacked a main army checkpoint in Tripoli earlier in the day, throwing stones at troops who responded by firing into the air. Some shops closed as angry men blocked several streets in Tripoli, Lebanon’s most impoverished city. There were no reports of injuries.” [AP News]

“On Sunday, the army said the boat sank just after leaving Qalamoun, south of Tripoli, due to it being over safe capacity. One of the survivors disputed this, saying the boat sank after being chased by the army. “The patrol boat hit our boat twice,” he told AFP at the Port of Tripoli, before families of survivors asked him to be quiet.” [L’Orient Today]

Rocket Fire From Israeli Military Responds To Launches From Southern Lebanon
According to a Tweet from the IDF, the Israeli Military fired retaliatory artillery shells on “open spaces in south Lebanon, near the launch area, and also at an infrastructure target” in response to a rocket launched from Southern Lebanon, striking a ‘harmless’ target across the border. [Reuters]

 

OPINION & ANALYSIS

What’s In It For Lebanon – The IMF Staff Level Agreement
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “For many in Lebanon, the announcement of the staff-level agreement with the IMF on April 7, prompted rather short-lived sighs of relief. That may be because certain actions are still required before any money flows at this level of agreement, and because the many challenges to its implementation have become clearer only days after the announcement on April 7. Sisyphus had it easy, one could say, in comparison to the anticipated obstructions that the agreement faces including the May 15th elections, as there are limits to what can get accomplished in the few weeks and three holidays between now and the opening of the polls. In particular, the formation of a new Council of Ministers within five months, the election of a president by the new government, and an agreement on a parliamentary agenda must all take place before any reforms can seriously happen.”

Read More Here

L’Orient Today
The Push And Pull Over Capital Control, Government Rescue Plan Explained, Inflation Resumes: Your Weekly Financial News Roundup
Kabalan Farah

Farah writes, “Late evening on April 18, a leaked document purportedly containing the details of the government’s economic plan started circulating among a narrow circle of journalists. The Joint Committee meeting scheduled for April 20 never took place, even though quorum was achieved. MPs attending the meeting refused to continue discussions of the draft law before the government made clear its intentions. The government was accused of “stealing the depositors’ money,” to which Mikati was swift to counter that the plan ensures the protection of small depositors, and any accusations of the contrary are only made for election purposes. However, after his meeting with Ferzli, he dispatched the government plan to the parliament, seeking the MPs feedback and suggestions. Berri called the Joint Committee to meet on Tuesday to continue discussions of the draft law. Whether the meeting achieves quorum or not, remains to be seen.”

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: 4/23/2022

 

 

April 23, 2022

Amal Loyalists Attack Supporters of Rival Electoral List in Sarafand
Last Saturday, supporters of Speaker Nabih Berri’s Amal Movement confronted participants of opposition groups traveling to a rally in Sarafand. They blocked the road leading to the event venue and violently attacked those who were planning to attend. Supporters of the lists claimed security forces were late to arrive to the scene and the Amal Movement has denied any involvement in the incident. [Naharnet]

RESPONSE

“A large turnout in the upcoming parliamentary elections could signal a positive change in the makeup of the parliament. In order for there to be a good electoral turnout; however, voters must be assured that they can cast their votes without violent repercussions and that their votes will be counted and not tampered with. The violence in southern Lebanon is not a good sign that fair and unfettered elections are possible. The Minister of Interior and the Internal Security Forces (ISF) have a critical job on their hands to reassure voters that they will be protected at the the ballot box and that the election will be conducted in a free and transparent manner. The US and other countries have provided election support to the ISF and Ministry, along with appropriations from the Lebanese government. The Ministry must act on its electoral mandate and, importantly, communicate with the public to reassure them of the integrity of the election process.”

-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel

Mufti Says Solutions Should Not be at Depositors’ Expense
This past week, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan stated that “preserving people’s deposits and savings” is a necessity in solving Lebanon’s financial crisis. He stated that this solution “should be at the expense of those who plunged the country into the current deterioration at all levels.” [Naharnet]

RESPONSE
“Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan is not a man to mess with. We met him recently and he is seriously concerned with the health and welfare of his people and of Lebanon. His concern for the treatment of the small depositors in the banking system and the need to protect them should not ring hollow with Parliament as the economic malaise affects the entire population, not just his Sunni coreligionists. No one concerned with their family’s welfare can afford to not vote in the May elections.”

-ATFL Vice President Jean AbiNader

Banking Secrecy Law: A Deep Dive into the New Bill
On Holy Thursday, Lebanon’s cabinet debated a bill that proposed removing a key pillar of support for Lebanon’s banking secrecy law, which has been in place for almost 70 years. This is following the lifting of banking secrecy as a precondition from the IMF to convert the staff-level agreement into an authorization to release part of the $3 billion in funding for Lebanon over the next four years.  [L’Orient Today]

RESPONSE

“While the proposed legislation on reforming the bank secrecy practices is long overdue, it is still incomplete. Banks and officials still have the capacity to rig investigations in the absence of a monitoring mechanism and an independent judiciary that can hear appeals and follow through with indictments as needed. If Lebanon is to rebuild its banking sector, it must do so with guarantees for tax authorities to audit accounts, open investigations of funds transfers, and pursue those who are evading taxes. While some measures still have to be taken to meet the IMF requirements, this is a move in the right direction and parliament should strengthen, not weaken, the bill as it moves through the approval process.”

-ATFL Vice President 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 04/22/2022

DAILY NEWS

Minister of Economy and Trade Signs Final Report in Negotiations with World Bank
According to L’Orient Today, “After finalizing a round of negotiations with the World Bank, Economy Minister Amin Salam signed a final report required to draft a law accepting an emergency loan of $150 million meant for the purchase of wheat, Salam announced Friday.” [L’Orient Today]

France Issues Arrest Warrant for Carlos Ghosn
According to a French prosecutor’s office, an arrest warrant has been issued for Carlos Ghosn, the former head of Nissan and Renault, as well as for four other people based on a 2019 investigation examining allegations of money laundering and abuse of company assets. In addition to being a Lebanese citizen, Ghosn is also a citizen of France. [AP News]

Minister of Foreign Affairs: Main Obstacle to Expatriate Voting Is ‘Obtaining Cash’ for Polling Staff
On Wednesday Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdallah Bou Habib commented on the obstacles to the voting process in the upcoming parliamentary elections for voters in the diaspora. According to L’Orient Today, “in a press briefing after meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Interior Minister Basssam Mawlawi, Bou Habib said that globally ‘we need 2,200 delegates, who will have to be paid and trained’ to man the polling stations for expatriates. He also said that these people will have to be on duty from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m, and that some will also have to stay at the polling stations until the next day. Bou Habib voiced concerns about being able to fund these personnel, giving the example of Sydney, where such staff are paid 1,000 Australian dollars each. ‘We will try to overcome this obstacle,’ he added.” [L’Orient Today]

 

OPINION & ANALYSIS

What’s In It For Lebanon – The IMF Staff Level Agreement
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “For many in Lebanon, the announcement of the staff-level agreement with the IMF on April 7, prompted rather short-lived sighs of relief. That may be because certain actions are still required before any money flows at this level of agreement, and because the many challenges to its implementation have become clearer only days after the announcement on April 7. Sisyphus had it easy, one could say, in comparison to the anticipated obstructions that the agreement faces including the May 15th elections, as there are limits to what can get accomplished in the few weeks and three holidays between now and the opening of the polls. In particular, the formation of a new Council of Ministers within five months, the election of a president by the new government, and an agreement on a parliamentary agenda must all take place before any reforms can seriously happen.”

Read More Here

Al Monitor
Bicycling Movement Sweeps Lebanon 
Clement Gibon

Gibon writes, “As Lebanon is hit hard by a series of crises, fuel shortages aggravated by the Ukraine war have pushed many Lebanese to use bicycles as transportation . . . Faced with fuel shortages caused by the war in Ukraine, dozens of Lebanese drivers stuck in front of gas stations on Mar Mikhael Street wait impatiently to fill up their vehicles — a situation echoing last summer’s ‘queues of humiliation.’ As a consequence of the fuel shortage, many Lebanese have turned to bicycling — a less expensive and more environmentally friendly way of getting around.”

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 04/21/2022

DAILY NEWS

Information Minister: Adoption of Economic Recovery Plan Expected Before May 15th Elections
Information Minister Ziad Makari said, “it is expected that the economic recovery plan will be adopted before the parliamentary elections because time is running out.” L’Orient Today reports that, “Parliamentary committees met yesterday to discuss a recent draft of a capital control law. Angry demonstrations were taking place near Parliament where the law was discussed at the same time in protest of the new version of the capital control law. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri scheduled a new meeting for the parliamentary committees next Tuesday to discuss the capital control law.” [L’Orient Today]

Read More Here

Mount Lebanon Judge Orders Seizure of Raja Salameh’s Assets
First investigating judge in the Mount Lebanon Court of Appeals, Judge Nicolas Mansour, ordered the seizure of the assets of Raja Salameh, brother to Central Bank Governor, Riad. This ruling follows Raja’s arrest and subsequent release on a LBP 200 million bail, reduced from the original value which was set at LBP 500 million. [Naharnet]

Chilean Police, Interpol Detain Portuguese National in Connection with Port of Beirut Explosion
According to Reuters, “A Portuguese man is set to face an extradition hearing in Madrid over allegations he was involved in the devastating 2020 port explosion in Beirut, authorities said on Thursday . . . He appeared before a Madrid high court judge on Wednesday and was released on bail while he awaits an extradition hearing. Lebanon’s justice minister Henry Khoury did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Lebanon would seek the man’s extradition.” [Reuters]

 

OPINION & ANALYSIS

What’s In It For Lebanon – The IMF Staff Level Agreement
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “For many in Lebanon, the announcement of the staff-level agreement with the IMF on April 7, prompted rather short-lived sighs of relief. That may be because certain actions are still required before any money flows at this level of agreement, and because the many challenges to its implementation have become clearer only days after the announcement on April 7. Sisyphus had it easy, one could say, in comparison to the anticipated obstructions that the agreement faces including the May 15th elections, as there are limits to what can get accomplished in the few weeks and three holidays between now and the opening of the polls. In particular, the formation of a new Council of Ministers within five months, the election of a president by the new government, and an agreement on a parliamentary agenda must all take place before any reforms can seriously happen.”

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 04/20/2022

DAILY NEWS

UNICEF: Maternal Deaths Triple, Children’s Health in Crisis
In a report released today, UNICEF reports that the number of women in Lebanon dying from pregnancy-related complications has increased amid the worsening economic crisis. Ettie Higgins, the UNICEF Lebanon representative said, “Repeatedly, anguished parents and families are unable to access basic health care for their children – as many dedicated health workers struggle to keep operations running during the crisis.” [Reuters]

Read Full Report Here

Minister of Economy and Trade Optimistic On World Bank Assistance For Food Security
Relaying optimism, Minister of Economy and Trade Amin Salam indicated that talks with the IMF were progressing positively and that he expects that an agreement with the World Bank can be reached to address the recent, pressing food security concerns that have arisen as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In particular he said, “We are working with the World Bank to keep market stability for the next six months by getting $150 million.” [AP News]

Grand Mufti Calls For Preservation of People’s Deposits and Savings
Sunni Muslim Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Deryan commented on the latest Parliamentary discussions of capitol control policy. In particular the Grand Mufti called for, “preserving people’s deposits and savings [ since ] the solutions for the financial and economic crisis should not be at the expense of depositors and their lifelong savings . . . “[The solutions] should be at the expense of those who plunged the country into the current deterioration at all levels.” [Naharnet]

 

OPINION & ANALYSIS

What’s In It For Lebanon – The IMF Staff Level Agreement
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “For many in Lebanon, the announcement of the staff-level agreement with the IMF on April 7, prompted rather short-lived sighs of relief. That may be because certain actions are still required before any money flows at this level of agreement, and because the many challenges to its implementation have become clearer only days after the announcement on April 7. Sisyphus had it easy, one could say, in comparison to the anticipated obstructions that the agreement faces including the May 15th elections, as there are limits to what can get accomplished in the few weeks and three holidays between now and the opening of the polls. In particular, the formation of a new Council of Ministers within five months, the election of a president by the new government, and an agreement on a parliamentary agenda must all take place before any reforms can seriously happen.”

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L’Orient Today
Banking Secrecy Law: A Deep Dive Into The New Bill
Phillipe Hage Boutros

Boutros writes, “The document’s content was confirmed to L’Orient-Le Jour by a source close to the prime minister. The source and document indicate without a shred of doubt that the bill had been sent to Parliament, which means it will not be debated any longer by the cabinet. If the causes of this cacophony have not yet been clarified, the amended bill, as it is supposed to have been sent to Parliament, was attached to the minutes, allowing us to get an idea of its content, scope and shortcomings. L’Orient-Le Jour took a deep dive into the bill with the help of the president of the Lebanese Association for Taxpayers’ Rights (ALDIC) and tax lawyer Karim Daher, who is, along with the former Justice Minister Marie-Claude Najm, one of the experts solicited by the IMF.

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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.