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Month: September 2022

Lebanon Daily News Brief 09/22/2022

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DAILY NEWS

United States, France and Saudi Arabia Issue Joint Statement of Support for Lebanon
“Our three countries expressed their continuing support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability.  As Lebanon’s Parliament prepares to elect a new President, we stress the importance of timely elections in compliance with the constitution.   It is critical to elect a President who can unite the Lebanese people and work with regional and international actors to overcome the current crisis.  We call for the formation of a government capable of implementing the structural and economic reforms urgently needed to address Lebanon’s political and economic crises, specifically those reforms needed to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund.”

Read the Full Statement Here

Caretaker PM Mikati Address UN General Assembly
According to Arab News, “[Caretaker Prime Minister Najib] Mikati, who represented Lebanon at the UN General Assembly, addressed the country’s social and economic crisis in a speech on Wednesday night. He said the crisis was threatening all institutions, driving most of the population below the poverty line, and causing a brain drain among the country’s young.” [Arab News]

Boat Carrying Migrants Sinks in Eastern Mediterranean, 34 Dead
According to AP News, “A boat carrying migrants from Lebanon capsized off Syria’s coast Thursday afternoon leaving at least 34 people dead, Syrian state media reported.” [AP News]

A Draft Maritime Border Deal Reported to Be Sent Soon
According to Naharnet, “U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein is working on an amended draft for the demarcation of the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel and is supposed to finalize it within a week.” [Naharnet]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Taking Cash In Hand – Are There Any Options?
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “Lebanese are doing the inevitable: holding up banks to get their funds. In the latest of eight incidents, the person is now on strike within the bank branch having turned in his weapon. The story is a familiar one. With the onset of the current financial crisis in 2019, banks issued informal capital controls to limit the depositors’ access to their dollar accounts. Withdrawals in dollars or Lebanese currency are limited, which effectively means that as the devaluation of the Lebanese currency continues, the depositor gets a free haircut that is not so free considering there are few constraints on how the banks act. A haircut refers to the depreciation in the value of the money being held due to a loss of value in the currency. Although this is part of the larger issue of the national debt crisis, the lack of a capital controls law has disabled options for those whose savings are in the banks. Legal recourses do not exist. The banking association has not faced up to the reality that its sector is broken. And the depositors are forming organizations to fight for their access.”

Read More Here

Haaretz
Nasrallah Reminds Lebanon Who Calls The Shots 
Zvi Bar’el

Bar’el writes, “The Hezbollah leader has a full plate of issues. Even before a new president is selected, he will have to approve the composition of a new cabinet and give his consent to the maritime border agreement that is taking shape, under American mediation, between Lebanon and Israel. According to reports from Lebanon, Nasrallah has proposed that the current prime minister, Najib Mikati, who was appointed in a caretaker capacity, continue to serve in the position and that instead of a new cabinet, the current one would also remain in place . . . There is no need for any more explicit explanation of the balance of deterrence that Nasrallah has set regarding the maritime border. The Lebanese government is only playing the role of the clerk who is required to sign the agreement that will have been approved in advance by the chairman of the board of directors. Since, according to Nasrallah, Israel has received the message and has responded as expected, one can assume that the drafting of a final text of an agreement is in its final stages.”

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 09/21/2022

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DAILY NEWS

Secretary Blinken Meets with Caretaker PM Mikati
Yesterday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with Lebanon’s Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in New York City, where the two senior officials discussed the maritime border negotiations, the topic of refugees, and the US’ interests in the region. State Department spokesperson Ned Pierce said, “The Secretary emphasized the need to hold a timely presidential election in Lebanon and urged that the Prime Minister and other leaders implement key reforms needed to effect meaningful change, promote good governance, and revive Lebanon’s economy while restoring the trust of its people.” 

Read the Full Statement Here

Association of Banks in Lebanon Announces Indefinite Closure of Banks
After a series of hold-ups took place last week by disgruntled people attempting to access their own deposits, the Association of Banks in Lebanon issued a statement today announcing that the decision to close all banks will be extended indefinitely due to the absence of ‘concrete security measures’ from authorities to secure the branches. [L’Orient Today]

IMF Publicly Critical of Lebanon’s Slow Progress on Reforms
According to AP News, “The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday said the Lebanese government’s slowness to implement desperately-needed reforms was exacerbating the country’s economic meltdown, even as officials met to discuss an urgent and long-delayed bailout. The IMF statement followed a three-day visit to Beirut of the fund’s representatives to discuss with Lebanese officials the implementation of reforms drawn up under a staff-level agreement between the two sides in April.” [AP News]

Internal Judicial Disputes Over Alternate Judge in Beirut Port Explosion Case
According to Naharnet, “A Higher Judicial Council meeting to name an alternate judge in the Beirut port blast case witnessed heated disputes that reached the extent of the withdrawal of Council chief Judge Suheil Abboud from the session, a media report said on Wednesday. The session was adjourned to September 27 in order to take a decision on six candidates proposed for the task, including Judge Samaranda Nassar, al-Liwaa newspaper reported, describing Tuesday’s meeting as the longest in the Council’s history.” [Naharnet]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Taking Cash In Hand – Are There Any Options?
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “Lebanese are doing the inevitable: holding up banks to get their funds. In the latest of eight incidents, the person is now on strike within the bank branch having turned in his weapon. The story is a familiar one. With the onset of the current financial crisis in 2019, banks issued informal capital controls to limit the depositors’ access to their dollar accounts. Withdrawals in dollars or Lebanese currency are limited, which effectively means that as the devaluation of the Lebanese currency continues, the depositor gets a free haircut that is not so free considering there are few constraints on how the banks act. A haircut refers to the depreciation in the value of the money being held due to a loss of value in the currency. Although this is part of the larger issue of the national debt crisis, the lack of a capital controls law has disabled options for those whose savings are in the banks. Legal recourses do not exist. The banking association has not faced up to the reality that its sector is broken. And the depositors are forming organizations to fight for their access.”

Read More Here

Reuters
On the run, Lebanese woman who stole own savings says she’s not the criminal
Timour Azhari and Emilie Madi

Azhari and Madi write, “On the run from authorities after forcing a bank to release her family savings at gunpoint to treat her cancer-stricken sister, 28-year-old Lebanese interior designer Sali Hafiz insists she is not the criminal. ‘We are in the country of mafias. If you are not a wolf, the wolves will eat you,’ she told Reuters, standing on a dirt track somewhere in Lebanon’s rugged eastern Bekaa valley where she has since been in hiding.”

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 09/22/2022

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DAILY NEWS

Finalized Maritime Deal Reportedly ‘Days Away’
According to the National, “Lebanon and Israel are rapidly closing in on a maritime border deal, with only one significant issue to be resolved . . . Negotiations have picked up on the sidelines of this week’s UN General Assembly in New York, where US mediator Amos Hochstein is holding separate meetings with Lebanese and Israeli officials [including Lebanon’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati].” [The National]

EU Envoys Express Grave Concern over Lebanon’s Crises to President Aoun
During a meeting between Lebanese President Michel Aoun and ambassadors to Lebanon from EU member states, the latter group jointly expressed ‘grave and growing concern’ over Lebanon’s crises, urging its head of state to immediately implement needed reforms. [Arab News]

Caretaker Prime Minister Meets with IMF Managing Director
According to L’Orient Today, “The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva on Tuesday said after meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati [at the Lebanese UN delegation’s residence] that the IMF is ‘eager’ to achieve a deal with Lebanon ‘as fast as possible and proceeding with the steps needed on the Lebanese side to approve reform programs in Parliament and fixing the situation of the exchange rate’.” [L’Orient Today]

Cypriot Authorities Rescue Group of Stranded Migrants
According to Reuters, “Cyprus authorities late on Monday and early on Tuesday rescued hundreds of migrants who had left Lebanon and were stranded at sea in two separate incidents, officials said.” [Reuters]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Taking Cash In Hand – Are There Any Options?
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “Lebanese are doing the inevitable: holding up banks to get their funds. In the latest of eight incidents, the person is now on strike within the bank branch having turned in his weapon. The story is a familiar one. With the onset of the current financial crisis in 2019, banks issued informal capital controls to limit the depositors’ access to their dollar accounts. Withdrawals in dollars or Lebanese currency are limited, which effectively means that as the devaluation of the Lebanese currency continues, the depositor gets a free haircut that is not so free considering there are few constraints on how the banks act. A haircut refers to the depreciation in the value of the money being held due to a loss of value in the currency. Although this is part of the larger issue of the national debt crisis, the lack of a capital controls law has disabled options for those whose savings are in the banks. Legal recourses do not exist. The banking association has not faced up to the reality that its sector is broken. And the depositors are forming organizations to fight for their access.”

Read More Here

Al Monitor
Can Lebanon’s ‘Change’ Coalition Fix A Broken System?
Hanan Hamdan

Hamdan writes, “Lebanon’s Central Bank has lifted its remaining subsidies on fuel and stated Sept. 12 that it will no longer provide US dollars for gasoline imports, a move that will force the Lebanese to procure fuel at a volatile market rate. Until recently, the central bank secured 40% of fuel import costs in US dollars at sub-market rates set by its foreign exchange platform, known as Sayrafa. The electronic platform developed by the bank sets the exchange rate according to a daily pricing close to the parallel market exchange rate, standing now at around 28,000 Lebanese pounds to the US dollar. The remaining 60% was paid by importers in dollars on the black market. The latest central bank decision to lift subsidies forces gas station owners to pay the full price of fuel at the country’s black market rate, with the dollar trading Sept. 15 at around 37,000 Lebanese pounds.”

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 09/19/2022

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DAILY NEWS

Finalized Maritime Deal Reportedly ‘Days Away’
According to the National, “Lebanon and Israel are rapidly closing in on a maritime border deal, with only one significant issue to be resolved . . . Negotiations have picked up on the sidelines of this week’s UN General Assembly in New York, where US mediator Amos Hochstein is holding separate meetings with Lebanese and Israeli officials [including Lebanon’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati].” [The National]

EU Envoys Express Grave Concern over Lebanon’s Crises to President Aoun
During a meeting between Lebanese President Michel Aoun and ambassadors to Lebanon from EU member states, the latter group jointly expressed ‘grave and growing concern’ over Lebanon’s crises, urging its head of state to immediately implement needed reforms. [Arab News]

Caretaker Prime Minister Meets with IMF Managing Director
According to L’Orient Today, “The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva on Tuesday said after meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati [at the Lebanese UN delegation’s residence] that the IMF is ‘eager’ to achieve a deal with Lebanon ‘as fast as possible and proceeding with the steps needed on the Lebanese side to approve reform programs in Parliament and fixing the situation of the exchange rate’.” [L’Orient Today]

Cypriot Authorities Rescue Group of Stranded Migrants
According to Reuters, “Cyprus authorities late on Monday and early on Tuesday rescued hundreds of migrants who had left Lebanon and were stranded at sea in two separate incidents, officials said.” [Reuters]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Taking Cash In Hand – Are There Any Options?
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “Lebanese are doing the inevitable: holding up banks to get their funds. In the latest of eight incidents, the person is now on strike within the bank branch having turned in his weapon. The story is a familiar one. With the onset of the current financial crisis in 2019, banks issued informal capital controls to limit the depositors’ access to their dollar accounts. Withdrawals in dollars or Lebanese currency are limited, which effectively means that as the devaluation of the Lebanese currency continues, the depositor gets a free haircut that is not so free considering there are few constraints on how the banks act. A haircut refers to the depreciation in the value of the money being held due to a loss of value in the currency. Although this is part of the larger issue of the national debt crisis, the lack of a capital controls law has disabled options for those whose savings are in the banks. Legal recourses do not exist. The banking association has not faced up to the reality that its sector is broken. And the depositors are forming organizations to fight for their access.”

Read More Here

Al Monitor
Can Lebanon’s ‘Change’ Coalition Fix A Broken System?
Hanan Hamdan

Hamdan writes, “Lebanon’s Central Bank has lifted its remaining subsidies on fuel and stated Sept. 12 that it will no longer provide US dollars for gasoline imports, a move that will force the Lebanese to procure fuel at a volatile market rate. Until recently, the central bank secured 40% of fuel import costs in US dollars at sub-market rates set by its foreign exchange platform, known as Sayrafa. The electronic platform developed by the bank sets the exchange rate according to a daily pricing close to the parallel market exchange rate, standing now at around 28,000 Lebanese pounds to the US dollar. The remaining 60% was paid by importers in dollars on the black market. The latest central bank decision to lift subsidies forces gas station owners to pay the full price of fuel at the country’s black market rate, with the dollar trading Sept. 15 at around 37,000 Lebanese pounds.”

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.

 

 

Taking Cash In Hand – Are There Any Options?

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Lebanese are doing the inevitable: holding up banks to get their funds. In the latest of eight incidents, the person is now on strike within the bank branch having turned in his weapon. The story is a familiar one. With the onset of the current financial crisis in 2019, banks issued informal capital controls to limit the depositors’ access to their dollar accounts. Withdrawals in dollars or Lebanese currency are limited, which effectively means that as the devaluation of the Lebanese currency continues, the depositor gets a free haircut that is not so free considering there are few constraints on how the banks act. A haircut refers to the depreciation in the value of the money being held due to a loss of value in the currency.

Although this is part of the larger issue of the national debt crisis, the lack of a capital controls law has disabled options for those whose savings are in the banks. Legal recourses do not exist. The banking association has not faced up to the reality that its sector is broken. And the depositors are forming organizations to fight for their access.

This has led to another unfair situation where bank employees are put at risk because neither the government authorities nor the banks have alternatives that enable withdrawals to meet people with dire needs somewhere in the middle, although the banks claim that they allow exemptions for medical emergencies. What this portends is additional clashes between the authorities and citizens who are simply acting out their frustrations. By prolonging this stress on the financial system, options such as a currency board, with its own limitations, are no longer effective with the tremendous drop in the value of the Lebanese currency, the pound or lira.

Another dangerous liability is that there is the real danger of robberies occurring under the guise of the depositors’ protests as has already occurred. This puts both customers and bank employees at risk, and makes the work of security forces, whether private or governmental, more dangerous and challenging.

Aside from implementing the already passed yet flawed capital controls law, there are no straightforward solutions absent an overhaul of the current bank/depositor relationship. As the government struggles to meet the IMF requirements for funds needed to begin the economic recovery process, the absence of good faith between the bank’s depositors and its owners only means these security issues will continue.

As the depositors’ rights groups continue to grow and become more aggressive, the banks in turn, never known for their largess, will mobilize even more tools within a system that already favors shareholders and owners over depositors. It is a conflict that neither side had anticipated or wanted and has now become the recurring tableau in Lebanon – leaving resolutions until fair options have expired and tensions are peaking.

The bank employees union has already called for a three-day strike to emphasize the need for increased safety. Banks routinely close their doors to avoid confrontation, but Lebanon is now in another mess entirely – and of its own making – as Parliament continues is dismal record of debates that resolve little and impede much progress on vital reform issues. Without an arbiter that has the power to resolve differences and a government that supports solutions, and an unclear Presidential succession, the confrontations will continue.

With the continued stalemate on forming a government, the continued depreciation of the pound, and the erosion of the subsidies regime to protect the diminishing foreign reserves, the country is in a quandary. Even if the IMF reform package is completed within six months, the election of a consensus presidential candidate moves forward, the electricity sector finally moves ahead with the importation packages from Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan secured, it may still be too late. Lebanon may have already run out of time to avoid the economic and humanitarian catastrophes that continue to unfold. As my colleagues in the Lebanon Working Group have argued, the next six weeks will shape the next six months and beyond in Lebanon. The Lebanese are no longer resilient, they are angry and depressed.

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 09/16/2022

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IMF Team to Visit Lebanon Next Week
Accused of Being ‘On Embassies’ Payroll,’ Port Blast Victims’ Families Demand Apology
Efforts to Find a Consensus Candidate Kick Off

IMF Team to Visit Lebanon Next Week
According to Reuters, “The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that a staff mission will visit Lebanon next week to discuss ways to “speed up” implementation of agreed reforms required for an IMF loan program amid deteriorating living conditions in the country.” [Reuters]

RESPONSE

The IMF team is returning to Lebanon at a critical time. The next meeting of the IMF board is in October and if the items agreed to be completed in the IMF-Lebanon staff level agreement are not passed by parliament, then there is little hope that the board will agree to a reform package. The parliament has been very slow to address the necessary conditions outlined in the staff level agreement. When parliament did take action on the lifting of banking secrecy, they watered down the legislation and asked for the IMF to be more flexible. The IMF response has been that credibility comes before flexibility, which first requires the government to fulfill its commitments in the staff level agreement. The parliament has one last chance in the next two weeks to show the visiting IMF team it is serious and credible by implementing reforms outlined in the agreement. The clock is ticking.

-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel 

Accused of Being ‘On Embassies’ Payroll,’ Port Blast Victims’ Families Demand Apology
On Thursday, Caretaker Justice Minister Henri Khoury accused relatives of victims of the August 4th explosion of being “on embassies’ payroll.” The relatives issued a statement condemning the Caretaker Minister’s remarks “”when each of us has lost a martyr far more precious and superior than your counterfeited ministerial position.” [L’Orient Today]

RESPONSE
The politicians have notched a win, promoting the dismissal of Judge Tarek Bitar from his position leading the inquiry into the Beirut Port blast. Whether or not his successor will fare any better is questionable. In the meantime, ministers should refrain from provocative statements that sully the reputation of the judicial system, which has lost much of its sheen as an independent actor. The incoming president will have their hands full gaining agreement on key judicial appointments going forward.

-ATFL Vice President Jean AbiNader

Efforts to Find a Consensus Candidate Kick Off
On Monday, the 13 Forces of Change Members of Parliament began meeting with other political leaders to identify a consensus candidate for the presidency. At the same time, a high-level meeting was held in Paris between Saudi Arabia and France to discuss their joint fund to assist the Lebanese people and the country’s upcoming presidential vacancy. [L’Orient Today]

RESPONSE

Talks to identify consensus candidates for the presidency have moved into high gear. Nowhere is this more evident than the efforts by the Forces of Change members in Parliament and the reform MPs meeting their counterparts to identify potential nominees. While several names occur with some frequency, there are no assurances that a deal will be struck before the October 31st deadline. All the sectarian parties, including the March 8 core of Amal and Hezbollah, are engaged in the current bargaining, which include filling the positions of the Commander of the Army, the head of the Central Bank, and other key positions in the cabinet. It is strenuous enough to keep track of who are the early favorites let alone start placing odds.  

-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 09/16/2022

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Lebanon Daily News Brief 09/15/2022

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DAILY NEWS

Mayyas Proclaimed Winner of America’s Got Talent, Earns $1 Million Prize
According to Reuters, “Lebanese celebrated at home and abroad on Thursday, despite their homeland’s crises, as they woke up to the news that local female dance troop Mayyas had won the America’s Got Talent competition on U.S. television, bagging a $1 million prize.” [Reuters]

Activists Vow to Facilitate Future ‘Bank Heists’ 
While BLOM Bank depositor, Sali Hafez, entered a Beirut branch brandishing a toy gun yesterday, accompanying activists from a group known as Depositors’ Outcry threatened to set the bank on fire in support of her attempt to forcibly withdraw $13,000 of her deposited savings. The group today announced that more ‘bank heists’ would be carried out to help people retrieve their locked savings. [AP News]

IMF Team to Visit Lebanon Next Week
According to Reuters, “The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that a staff mission will visit Lebanon next week to discuss ways to “speed up” implementation of agreed reforms required for an IMF loan program amid deteriorating living conditions in the country.” [Reuters]

Parliamentary Session on 2022 Budget Underway
According to L’Orient Today, “Lebanese MPs are meeting on Thursday for the first day of a plenary session that will last until Friday evening, in order to adopt the annual state budget for 2022. The meeting was supposed to start on Wednesday but was postponed. During this meeting, members must debate and then vote, normally article by article, on a text that was approved by the government of Najib Mikati in Feb. 2022 before being revised by the parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee.” [L’Orient Today]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
In Sinwar’s Shadow
Mohanad Hage Ali
 

Hage Ali writes, “Following their sharp disagreements over the conflict in Syria, Hamas and Hezbollah have since improved their relations, most recently when the Palestinian organization reportedly intervened in the elections of the Jamaa al-Islamiyya, Lebanon’s Muslim Brotherhood branch. According to media reports in online sites such as Al-Modon and Asas Media, the Jamaa wing that is close to Hamas and Hezbollah won recent elections for the organization’s leadership, as well as majorities in the Political Bureau and Shura Council. Sheikh Mohammed Taqqoush, the organization’s former security chief for Beirut, who is said to be on the Hamas payroll, was elected secretary general, while another figure close to Hamas and Hezbollah, Muqdad Qalawun, was reappointed the Jamaa’s overall security chief. The Jamaa had a military wing during Lebanon’s civil war, named Al-Fajr (Dawn), which played a role in resisting the Israeli occupation alongside Hezbollah, which is why it remains close to the party.”

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 09/14/2022

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DAILY NEWS

Mayyas Stuns Audiences in America’s Got Talent Finale, Winner Revealed Tonight
After the latest performance from the Lebanese dance troupe, Mayyas, who advanced to the final round of the America’s Got Talent television competition, the group awaits this evening’s announcement of the program’s winners. Go Mayyas! [The National]

Woman Breaks into Beirut Branch of Blom Bank Demanding Savings
According to AP News, “A woman accompanied by activists and brandishing what she said was a toy pistol broke into a Beirut bank branch on Wednesday, taking $13,000 from her trapped savings. Sali Hafez told the local Al-Jadeed TV that she needed the money to fund her sister’s cancer treatment. She said she had repeatedly visited the bank to ask for her money and was told she could only receive $200 a month in Lebanese pounds.” [AP News]

President Michel Aoun Alludes to ‘Major Progress’ on Maritime Border File
In publicly made remarks, the Lebanese President Michel Aoun hinted that major progress was underway concerning the ongoing, US-mediated negotiations between the Lebanese and Israeli governments concerning Lebanon’s southern maritime border. He said, “The contacts to finalize the demarcation file have made major progress, in which Lebanon has achieved what enables it to exploit its resources in its waters.” [Naharnet]

Parliamentary Session on 2022 Budget Boycotted Due to Lack of Quorum
According to L’Orient Today, “A Parliament session on Wednesday, during which Lebanese delegates had planned to discuss the long overdue 2022 draft budget, was postponed to Thursday morning due to a lack of quorum . . . The Lebanese Forces and Kataeb announced on Monday that they would not attend the session on Wednesday as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of former Lebanese President Bachir Gemayel’s assassination. Free Patriotic Movement MPs also boycotted the meeting.” [L’Orient Today]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Al-Monitor
Lebanese Turn To Wood Logging In Preparation For Winter
Rodayna Raydan
 

Raydan writes, “In the face of rising fuel prices and scarcity in Lebanon, residents have become increasingly dependent on cutting down trees from nearby forests and woodlands to stay warm, and while the increased logging is causing fears of deforestation, many in Lebanon say they are left with little choice . . . Wood markets are booming, while other markets are bearing the brunt of the economic downturn. Wood seller Omar Safa told Al-Monitor that the government is to blame for the financial crisis and rising inflation, and that as a result citizens cannot afford energy supplies. He said that this year had witnessed the highest demand for wood logs as people plan to use wood not only for heating but for cooking, too, a throwback to the past that many are finding hard to accept. Safa noted that the prices of wood logs depend on their type as the quality differs. For instance, oak tree wood is more expensive compared to orange or pine tree wood, because they last longer when burnt.”

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 09/13/2022

Posted on by admin



 

DAILY NEWS

Mayyas Competes in America’s Got Talent Finals
Tonight, the Lebanese dance troupe, Mayyas, will compete on the America’s Got Talent television program for the $1 million prize. They are up against ten other acts in the final round. [The National] 

PM Mikati Calls for ‘Positive Cooperation’ Ahead of Critical Budget Talks
Speaking on the eve of an important parliamentary discussion addressing the 2022 national budget, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, called for ‘positive cooperation’, saying, “we do not have the luxury of time amid the numerous issues we are facing.” [Arab News]

Israeli Defense Minister Keen on Making a Deal with Lebanon 
In a meeting with UN Diplomats yesterday, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said, “The state of Israel is interested in progressing maritime border negotiations with Lebanon . . . In the end, there will be two gas rigs, one Israeli and one Lebanese. The question is whether we can reach this scenario without an unnecessary escalation as a result of Hezbollah threats . . . Establishing a rig on the Lebanese side is in the interest of Lebanon, whose residents do not have a regular electricity supply and are experiencing a devastating economic crisis.” [L’Orient Today]

Interior Ministry Announces Security Plan Addressing Violence in the North
According to L’Orient Today, “Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi announced on Tuesday a “sustainable” security plan had been devised for North Lebanon, following two deadly shootings in Tripoli that raised fears of more violence, the state-run National News Agency reported.” [L’Orient Today] 

OPINION & ANALYSIS

L’Orient Today
Efforts To Find A Consensus Candidate Kick Off
Yara Abi Akl
 

Abi Akl writes, “While only seven weeks separate Lebanon from the end of President Michel Aoun’s term in office, a local and international effort is underway to find his successor. On the local scene, the 13 Forces of Change MPs began visits Monday with political actors from all parties in hopes of reaching common ground on the future head of state. At the same time, France and Saudi Arabia seem invested in Lebanon’s ability to find a consensus candidate and avoid a presidential vacancy.”

Read More Here

L’Orient Today
Lebanon Is Turning To Solar Energy, But Are There Risks?
Philippe Hage Boutros

Hage Boutros writes, “Faced with simultaneous energy, economic and financial crises, and with little to no provision of state electricity, many people in Lebanon are rushing to install solar panels. Between 2021 and the end of 2022, $350 million were invested in the private sector for new 250 megawatt-maximum solar energy systems, in addition to existing 100-megawatt systems, according to Pierre Khoury, president of the government’s Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC). These include small residential backup installations as well as larger solar panel projects equipping industrial sites, farms and even shopping centers.”

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.