Reports of US Mediator’s Return to Lebanon Concerning Maritime Border Negotiations Amos Hochstein, the Special Presidential Coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment as well as the lead mediator in the ongoing, US-mediated negotiations between the Lebanese and Israeli governments regarding Lebanon’s Southern maritime border, may return to Beirut soon, according to local reports. [Naharnet]
Internet ‘Shutdowns’ After Telecom Worker Strike Yesterday, the employees of the state-owned telecom company, Ogero, went on strike, demanding higher wages, resulting in internet shutdowns. [AP News]
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Announces Halt to Capital Control Law Discussions Pending Futher Reform Agreements According to L’Orient Today, “Deputy Parliament Speaker Elias Bou Saab announced Tuesday that the Parliament has suspended discussions around the capital control law until the cabinet settles on a full-fledged reform plan.” [L’Orient Today]
LBCI Launches Support Campaign of Mayyas in Preparation for Semi-Finals of ‘America’s Got Talent’ Next week, the all-female, internationally renowned Lebanese dance group, Mayyas, will perform at the semi-finals of “America’s Got Talent”, and in preparation, the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) channel launched an advertising campaign in support of the group. [Arab News]
OPINION & ANALYSIS
L’Orient Today As The Presidential Election Period Begins, Focus Turns To The Future Cabinet Yara Abi Akl
Abi Akl writes, “Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri says he expects a broad agreement on the future president, while current President Michel Aoun assures that he is working on the formation of a cabinet before his departure . . . Today, Aug. 31, the constitutionally mandated period begins to elect a successor for Michel Aoun, whose term in office will end in two months. But in reality, there is no reason to believe that this milestone will be achieved without a hitch. Indeed, it appears that the country risks plunging, for the first time in its history, into a total vacuum in the executive branch — particularly since Aoun, contrary to accusations by his detractors, said he is determined to leave Baabda on Oct. 31.”
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.
