DAILY NEWS
Doctors Stage a Sit-In in Protest of Dire Hospital Conditions
A group of Lebanese doctors called the White Shirts organized a sit-in protest outside hospitals today to bring attention to their dire conditions and shortage of medical supplies. Doctors say they have had to reduce the number patients admitted to hospitals because of the shortages. Protesters call on the World Health Organization to help the Lebanese medical community survive the country’s multiple crises. [Naharnet]
Political Activity Increases This Week Surrounding Cabinet Formation Discussions
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called for a decision on Lebanon’s government formation this week. He is pushing his proposal for a 24-member cabinet that would contain no blocking one-third veto power for any party. Political sources say political activity and conversations have intensified this week to find a resolution. An obstacle remains over a disagreement between President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri regarding who should name two Christian ministers. [The Daily Star]
Lawyers on Strike Announce the ‘Great Lawyers’ Uprising’
This week, Lebanese lawyers announced they will continue a strike called the “Great Lawyers’ Uprising” that demands the adoption of a law on judicial independence within 20 days. The group has already continued their strike for over ten days. The announcement was shared by the head of the Beirut Bar Association outside the Justice Palace in Beirut in commemoration of four martyred judges. [The 961]
OPINION & ANALYSIS
Carnegie Middle East Center
We Want to Break Free
Issam Kayssi
Kayssi writes: “In the face of colossal challenges for more than a year now, some Lebanese have decided to find ways to opt out of their disastrous financial order. Some have chosen to invest in the decentralized digital currency Bitcoin, which has been in circulation globally since 2009 and is protected from unexpected inflation. The governor of Lebanon’s central bank, Riad Salameh, does not regard Bitcoin as currency, but as a highly volatile commodity. That is why its use as a currency was banned in 2017 in the Lebanese market. This did not stop Salameh from announcing in 2020 the central bank’s plans (currently on hold) to introduce its own digital currency in order to transition to a ‘cashless system.’ One would imagine that this ‘digital pound’ would be controlled by Salameh, its supply, like the current pound, inflated at his will and that of his political backers. That is precisely why many Lebanese have chosen Bitcoin.”
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.