DAILY NEWS
France Hosts World Powers Meeting to Raise Funds for LAF
Yesterday France hosted a meeting with world powers with the aim to raise tens of millions of dollars for the Lebanese Armed Forces. LAF Commander General Joseph Aoun appeared at the virtual event and warned that soldiers salaries are being significantly cut. [The 961] Participants in the meeting were not asked to provide LAF salaries directly but to provide food, medical supplies, and spare parts for military equipment. The meeting hasn’t produced funding yet, but most of the participants have shown they are ready to offer support soon. [France 24]
French and EU Officials Visit Lebanon to Pressure Cabinet Formation
Today French Envoy Patrick Durrell is in Beirut to push Lebanon’s political leaders to form a cabinet. The visit comes ahead of sanctions that the EU and France are preparing against those that have obstructed government formation. [Naharnet] This weekend EU High Representative Josep Borrell will also visit Lebanon to urge the formation of a government and implement key reforms. He will meet with political and military leaders as well as civil society. [Naharnet]
Lebanon’s Energy Minister Says Gasoline Subsidy to Come to an End Soon
Yesterday Lebanese Energy Minister Raymond Ghana’s warned that Lebanon’s gasoline subsidy would soon come to an end, noting that the system is unsustainable. The subsidy program costs Lebanon about $6 billion a year, and around half of that is spent on fuel. [Al Jazeera] The statement comes as Lebanese spend hours in car lines outside gas stations throughout the country. [Reuters]
OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Lebanese Center for Policy Studies
Lebanon’s Emerging Opposition: From COVID-19 to the 2022 Elections
LCPS writes: “With the country’s ruling parties entrenched in state institutions, having amassed significant financial and social capital through clientelistic networks, Lebanon’s budding opposition will no doubt face major obstacles. And whether prioritizing the 2022 elections is a viable and effective tool for structural change is a debate that appears to be nowhere near resolved. However, one thing independent political parities and groups all agree on is that they need to develop their programs, expand their membership base, and build formidable coalitions based on clear policy positions.”
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.