Lebanon Daily News Brief 02/02/2022

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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DAILY NEWS

Gas Station Syndicate Blame Shortages on Distributors
In a statement issued on Monday, the syndicate of gas station owners said that, ‘some distribution companies have refrained’ from delivering fuel, while others have delivered it ‘in very small quantities.’ L’Orient Today reports, “According to local station owners, importers do not agree with the rate at which prices are updated and therefore choose to limit distribution as much as possible or even suspend it until prices rise, thus “creates a shortage that does not exist.” [L’Orient Today]

British Court Rules Against Lebanese Banks
A UK court ordered two Lebanese banks to pay a depositor $4 million USD of his money locked by informal capital controls in Lebanon’s banking system. According to Reuters, “The [London-based] High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division, ordered Bank Audi and SGBL to make the payments, amounting to about $1.1 million and $2.9 million respectively, to claimant Vatche Manoukian by March 4, a copy of the ruling seen by Reuters said.” [Reuters]

Lebanon Feminist Civil Society Platform Urges More Women in Parliament
According to The961, “Lebanon’s Feminist Civil Society Platform held a press conference on Monday to share their demands regarding the candidates running for the upcoming parliamentary elections, and ensure equality for women in political parties.” [The961]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

A Lesson For The Lebanese Thawra From Algeria’s Hirak
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “The challenge is whether those opposed to the status quo can mobilize across self-imposed labels and boundaries. More from Ghebouli, “the opposition bears responsibility, whether it acknowledges it or not, for its lack of vision and inability to remain a transparent political force amid the struggles between rival clans within the Algerian system.” While clans in Algeria can be compared to sects in Lebanon, the challenge is the same: how to avoid being tarred with labels that degrade their commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence. Lebanon may seem more fortunate not be ruled by a security oligarchy, but it is not. In essence the results come out the same; a non-responsive and corrupt leadership class is just as intolerant to challengers of the status quo as a hyper responsive police state.”

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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.