DAILY NEWS
Maritime Border Talks Paused, Waiting on Lebanon
US-led maritime border talks between Lebanon and Israel were paused last week after President Aoun ordered the Lebanese delegation to halt their participation. Aoun took issue with the mediation’s starting point, which was to begin at the border lines already registered with the UN, namely the dispute over 860 square kilometers. [Reuters] There is a decree in Lebanon however approved by the caretaker prime minister and ministers of defense and public works that would extend the disputed area to 1,430 sq. km. But Aoun has yet to sign and approve the decree therefore it hasn’t been submitted to the UN. Regarding next steps the US says the ball is now in Lebanon’s court. [Al Arabiya]
Government Plans on Subsidies Start Panic Buying in Supermarkets
Government plans to remove subsidies on basic food items such as fuel, wheat, and medicine have stirred panic buying among Lebanese at supermarkets. It has caused prices of meat and chicken to spike and on Sunday cars lined up outside of gas stations to store up. Caretaker Prime Minister Diab has said the government will not lift subsidies before ration cards for Lebanese families are approved. [The Daily Star]
Drug Raid in Baalbek
Today the Lebanese army raided a drug manufacturing plan in Baalbek and confiscated drugs, machins and equipment used for narcotic production. [Naharnet]
Over 40 Tons of Fish Dead in Qaraoun Lake
Over 40 tons of dead fish have shown up on the banks of Qaraoun Lake in southern Lebanon. Activists and locals blame pollution coming from the Litani River that carries waste from industrial factories and sewage systems. The authorities don’t recognize this as the cause and say it may be disease.
OPINION & ANALYSIS
FOCUS LEBANON: LIFE is Helping the Lebanese Help Themselves
Jean AbiNader
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.