BDL Stops Providing Dollars for Gasoline Imports According to Reuters, “Lebanon’s central bank said it has entirely ceased providing dollars for gasoline imports in a move that will likely lead to higher and more volatile prices as well as increased pressure on the local currency which has been steadily losing value.” [Reuters]
UN’s FAO Issues Recommendations for Lebanon The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued a set of recommendations to the Lebanese government for a “sustainable and inclusive” food system. One particular observation that the FAO published concerning the Lebanese agricultural sector was that informal labor accounts for a high percentage of agricultural work.
UNIFIL Pushes Back Against Misinformation According to L’Orient Today, “The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) issued a statement Monday pushing back against “misinformation” following reports that an amended mandate had granted the force greater freedom of movement in the South. UNIFIL clarified that it continues to coordinate its movements with the Lebanese army, even when not physically accompanied by the military. UNIFIL’s mandate was extended in August for a period of one year.” [L’Orient Today]
Forces of Chance MP’s Meet with Tachnag, Kataeb on Presidency According to L’Orient Today, “Forces of Change MPs met with Tachnag and Kataeb parliamentary blocs on Monday to discuss Lebanese presidential elections, inaugurating the first round of meetings focused on their presidential initiative. The initiative, launched on Sep. 3, aims to define the profile of the next president.” [L’Orient Today]
OPINION & ANALYSIS
AP News A Presidential Role In Saving Lebanon Is Possible Zeina Karam
Karam writes, “They literally run the country. In parking lots, on flatbed trucks, hospital courtyards and rooftops, private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and businesses 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, millions of people around the region depend almost completely on diesel-powered private generators to keep the lights on because war or mismanagement have gutted electricity infrastructure. Experts call it national suicide from an environmental and health perspective.”
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.
