IMF Comments on Banking Secrecy Law, ‘Key Deficiencies’ Outstanding The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today relayed its official assessment of the Lebanese state’s pending banking secrecy law, calling out ‘key deficiencies’ that the law fails to resolve. [Reuters]
President Biden Emphasizes Maritime Border Negotiations with Lebanon in Call with Israeli PM According to reporting by Al Arabiya English, a White House official said that, “Resolving the maritime boundary dispute [between the Lebanese and Israeli governments] is a key priority for the Biden administration. We firmly believe a deal has the potential to promote lasting stability and economic prosperity for both countries.” [Al Arabiya English]
UN Security Council Unanimously Approves Extension of UNIFIL Mandate According to AP News, “The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday strongly condemning harassment, intimidation, attacks and restrictions against the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.” [AP News]
UN Appoints New Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon Succeeding Najat Rochdi of Morocco, the newly appointed Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident Coordinator, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon is Imran Riza of Pakistan. Ms. Rochdi was newly appointed as the Deputy Special Envoy for Syria. [L’Orient Today]
OPINION & ANALYSIS
AP News Hezbollah At 40 Stronger Than Ever But Has More Enemies Bassem Mroue
Mroue writes, “Forty years since Hezbollah was founded at the height of Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon, the group has morphed from a ragtag organization to the largest and most heavily armed militant group in the Middle East. The Iranian-armed and funded Hezbollah, which has marked the anniversary with ceremonies in its strongholds in recent weeks, dominates Lebanon’s politics and plays afn instrumental role in spreading Tehran’s influence throughout the Arab world. But the Shiite powerhouse, once praised around the Arab world for unrelentingly standing against Israel, faces deep criticism on multiple fronts.”
Washington Post Massive Hike In Cell Service Fees Cuts Off Lebanon’s Poor From The World Nader Durgham
Durgham writes, “Shopping for grapes at Beirut’s wholesale market to resell from her produce cart, an exhausted Rawaa Ghosn described how another layer of her increasingly tenuous life was peeled away after she had to give up the use of her mobile phone in the face of skyrocketing rates . . . The high prices for phone use also mean many lower-income families can’t reach the aid agencies and nongovernmental organizations that could help them. Mercy Corps, an international humanitarian aid organization, said it received 70 percent fewer calls and requests on its hotline in July than in previous months.”
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.
