DAILY NEWS
Lebanon’s Information Minister Resigns
Today Lebanon’s Information Minister George Kordahi turned in his resignation. The announcement comes after Prime Minister Najib Miqati asked Kordahi to put national interest first. There also was an understanding that Miqati wanted the resignation to happen before French President Emmanuel Macron upcoming visit. Kordahi said, “I refused to be used as a reason to harm Lebanon and my fellow Lebanese in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.” [Reuters]
Waste Services Halt in Beirut and Mount Lebanon
Reports have come in that waste services have stopped collection operations in Beirut and Mount Lebanon because of a failure to settle contracts with the government. The halt in services raises concern of a new garbage crisis in Lebanon. Environment Minister Nasser Yassine told Prime Minister Miqati in a meeting recently that there was a need for a “more sustainable plan for managing solid waste.” After the meeting Yassine said the ministry is working to resolve the contract issues to avoid a crisis. [Naharnet]
Protesters Break into Ministry of Public Works
This morning protesters broke into Lebanon’s public works ministry building with demands to talk to Minister Ali Hamieh. The group was protesting worsening conditions in Lebanon including high prices of basic goods, fuel, and medicine. Following the break-in Minister Hamieh agreed to meet with protesters for 30 minutes. [The 961]
OPINION & ANALYSIS
Foreign Affairs
America is Not Withdrawing from the Middle East
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Kaye writes, “In this moment of strategic flux, the United States has an opportunity to do things differently—to develop and implement a strategy for development and equity. Instead of outsize military investments, it could invest in solutions to the socioeconomic and governance challenges preventing a better life for the region’s citizens. The United States, along with its wealthy allies, could help partners that want to transform the region from a set of problems to a set of possibilities. Either way, the United States and the Middle East are not going to part ways—but Washington should seize the chance to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”
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.