Washington, DC, August 4, 2020 (ATFL) – During the past several months, the American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL), a leadership organization of Americans of Lebanese heritage who support a strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Lebanon, have been meeting virtually with prominent leaders in the US and Lebanon to better assess and understand the dynamics of the current situation and options for US policy.
In addition to numerous meetings with officials of the US Administration and Congress, the ATFL met virtually with the Lebanese prime minister, several cabinet ministers, the head of the Central Bank, and the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). In the private sector, ATFL reached out to key NGOs, business leaders, and the bankers association. These meetings helped inform the joint ATFL- Middle East Institute facilitated report released on July 14, 2020, Recommendations for a Sustainable Bilateral Relationship, which will be updated over the next several months with the latest developments.
Following these discussions, ATFL President Edward Gabriel said, “There is an urgent need for the Lebanese to come to a consensus on how to restore durability, credibility, and sustainability to the country. Meaningful reforms that restore confidence in the economy will enable the government and society to address Lebanon’s desperate social and humanitarian conditions that are driving an anxious population deeper into poverty.”
Lebanon must act now to curb its mounting economic, social, and humanitarian problems. Time is quickly running out.
