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Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/12/2021

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DAILY NEWS

UN Special Rapporteur Concludes Lebanon Tour
This week UN Special Rapporteur on poverty and human rights is finishing up a twelve-day tour of Lebanon. During his visit Olivier De Schutter met with Lebanon officials, civil society leaders, and impoverished communities throughout the country. De Schutter concluded that though Lebanon is not a failed state, it is a failing state. He added that the “government’s inaction in the face of this unprecedented crisis has inflicted great misery on the population, especially children, women, stateless and undocumented individuals, and people with disabilities who were already marginalized.” [The National]

Kordahi Says No Resignation without ‘Guarantees’
Amid a diplomatic feud between Lebanon and Gulf countries, officials have called for Information Minister George Kordahi’s resignation. Kordahi said today he will not stop down unless he receives a guarantee that his resignation will resolve the crisis. Without giving any specifics, Kordahi says so far there have been “no guarantees.” Hezbollah said yesterday that Lebanon should not concede to Saudi Arabia and accused KSA of fabricating the crisis to undermine Lebanon. [AP]

Turkish Foreign Minister to Visit Lebanon
Next week Turkey’s foreign minister will visit Lebanon as a show of support for the Lebanese government. Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu will meet with top Lebanese officials and extend an invite to Prime Minister Najib Miqati to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. [Naharnet]

Number of Lebanese Expats Registered to Vote Already Exceeds 2018 Numbers
November 20 is the deadline for Lebanese expatriates to register to vote in the 2022 parliamentary elections. Based on data released by the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of Lebanese expats who have registered to vote in 2022 already exceeds the number that voted in 2018. Since yesterday, there are 101,088 registrants recorded, compared to 2018’s 82,965 registrants. [The 961]

If you’re a Lebanese expat, register to vote here!

OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Lebanese Center for Policy Studies
Raising the Alarm: Pervasive Poverty and Vulnerability in Lebanon
Fadi Nicholas Nassar, Sarah Hague, and Walid Sayegh

Nassar, Hague, and Sayegh write in support of UN Special Rapporteur Oliver De Schutter’s visit to Lebanon, “Persistent failures by the Government of Lebanon (GoL) to put the country on the path of recovery have been disastrous. The World Bank has described this lack of action as deliberate, given that interventions to halt the economic decline would have entailed major financial losses by influential individuals and institutions. As a result, the burden of the crisis has been highly imbalanced, falling the hardest on those who were already poor or suffering from previous lifecycle vulnerabilities. With a deeply flawed social protection system, healthcare, education, electricity, clean water, adequate housing, transportation, and decent jobs have become only accessible to the few.”

Read more here

Carnegie Middle East Center
The Politics of Perdition
Mohanad Hage Ali

Ali writes, “Miqati and his government, which was formed last September, have been on the defensive in recent weeks as Hezbollah and its allies have created one crisis after the other. The prime minister’s tenure began with Hezbollah’s controversial decision to import Iranian fuel, which could have brought US sanctions. The party’s response to the Bitar investigation and the crisis with the Gulf states have only made matters worse. Hezbollah’s primary focus now is to sideline Bitar and derail his investigation. The question is why has the party taken such an aggressive position, and placed itself at the center of the controversy over the investigation, when it could have hidden behind its allies to undermine Bitar? This is all the more surprising as Bitar has not accused Hezbollah or any of its members of involvement.”

Read more here

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.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/10/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Court of Appeal Judge Recused from Bitar Case
A judge on Lebanon’s Court of Appeals was notified yesterday of his recusal on the case against Judge Tarek Bitar and his Beirut Port investigation. Judge Habib Mezher reportedly asked Bitar to hand over confidential details of the Port case, a move that violates the probe’s confidentiality according to Beirut-based Legal Agenda. Concerns over the judge’s ties to Hezbollah and Amal have called into question Mezher’s bias as both parties continue to push for Bitar’s removal. [Naharnet]

First Trial for Sexual Harassment Case in Lebanon Begins Today
A new law passed in December of last year criminalized sexual harassment in Lebanon for the first time. Tomorrow, the first trial under this law will begin in what civil society groups hope will set an example of protection and justice for victims of sexual harassment. Before now, sexual harassment was not considered a crime and victims had to sue harassers for threats or defamation. [The 961] The lawyer representing five women who had filed the complaint said, “we want to change the mindset so that victims feel empowered to speak up.” [The National]

Kuwait Investigates Suspects Tied to Hezbollah
After security authorities arrested a group of Kuwaiti citizens accused of working with Hezbollah, Kuwait’s Public Prosecution office is now in the process of investigating them. The group was arrested and held on charges of recruiting people to work with Hezbollah and Hezbollah’s efforts in Syria and Yemen. Kuwait was among the Gulf countries that recalled ambassadors from Beirut over George Kordahi’s Yemen comments. [Al Arabiya]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

The National
Lebanon’s Daily Star Paper Should Not Have Ended with a Whimper
Michael Young

Young writes, “The closing this month of the Daily Star, Lebanon’s oldest English-language newspaper, founded in 1952, had a bittersweet feel to it. Bitter, because of the way the publication treated its staff in its final years; sweet, because the Star had built up a noteworthy track record since reopening in 1996, in the midst of Lebanon’s post-war reconstruction, and for a time reflected the optimism in the country’s revival…When political money dried up in the last decade, few Lebanese papers tried to develop an alternative model applicable to the internet age. The Star did attempt to rely on online subscriptions for readers overseas, but the somewhat rigid format it adopted was limited in its appeal. That was a shame, because a restructuring of the paper’s ownership, an injection of cash and a savvy internet and social media strategy might have saved it. The Daily Star should not have ended with a whimper. Many journalists who had drifted through the newspaper expressed nostalgia when they heard the news. That was understandable, but what is less so is how a publication that had, since the early ’50s, chronicled Lebanon’s political and social life should have been allowed to go so unceremoniously.”

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The Lebanese Center for Policy Studies
Transforming Public Procurement: Lebanon’s Path to Efficiency, Social Value, and Transparency
Lamia Moubayed Bissat and Basma Abdul Khalek

Bissat and Khalek write, “July 29, 2021 marked the publication of Public Procurement Law 244/2021 in the Official Gazette. After more than two years of drafting, review, consultation, and parliamentary debate, Lebanon now has a unified public procurement law. With this accomplishment, the country has ticked the first box in a list of structural reforms that are necessary to ensure sound financial governance, foster economic recovery, and improve transparency and accountability. The Constitutional Council’s decision (issued on September 16, 2021) to reject a petition against the law further validated this important reform and the rationale behind it.”

Read more here

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.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/9/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Arab League Envoy Backs Calls for Kordahi’s Resignation
Yesterday Arab League envoy Hossam Zaki met Lebanese political leaders in effort to explore resolutions to the escalating diplomatic crisis between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. [AP] Zaki supported calls for Information Minister George Kordahi’s resignation adding that “from the very beginning, the resignation could have defused the crisis.” [Al Arabiya] Sources say today that Kordahi will not submit his resignation over “a mistake he did not commit while being information minister.” [Naharnet]

First Trial for Sexual Harassment Case in Lebanon Begins Tomorrow
A new law passed in December of last year criminalized sexual harassment in Lebanon for the first time. Tomorrow, the first trial under this law will begin in what civil society groups hope will set an example of protection and justice for victims of sexual harassment. Before now, sexual harassment was not considered a crime and victims had to sue harassers for threats or defamation. [The 961]

PM Miqati Says IMF Talks Advancing Well
Yesterday Prime Minister Miqati reported that Lebanon’s preliminary talks with the International Monetary Fund were advancing and going well. He said that a revised financial recovery plan will be ready by the end of the month adding that “for the first time we have handed over unified financial figures.” [Reuters]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Doing Business in Lebanon – On the Ropes
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “A business asks itself two questions when looking for new markets: what are my risks, and how do I get my money out? There are no easy answers to these questions when it comes to Lebanon. It all begins with the money: the Lebanese pound. What is it worth, can it be used for purchasing overseas supplies, can it be exchanged favorably with other currencies, and is there a banking system that is reliable and ready to help build businesses? While the Commerce Department Report touches on opportunities for US companies in many areas, they are conditioned upon several fundamental ‘ifs’. For example, if they can get the needed licenses, customs clearances, financing, etc., and if the country adopts the reforms needed to perform as a functioning member of the global economy.”

Read more here

Carnegie Middle East Center
Beirut for Ma’rib?
Ahmed Nagi

Nagi writes, “While Qordahi’s remarks were a pretext for the Gulf states’ actions, their moves appeared to be premeditated and reflected growing Saudi displeasure with Hezbollah’s dominant position in Lebanon, as well as the group’s regional role on Iran’s behalf…The key question today, then, is why did Saudi Arabia escalate the crisis with Lebanon, when Hezbollah’s hostility toward the kingdom was known? A principal reason appears to be Hezbollah’s assistance to the Houthis in their ongoing offensive against oil-rich Ma’rib Governorate, the last stronghold of the Saudi-backed government of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi. In recent weeks, the Houthis have taken over districts in the southern part of the governorate and have advanced towards the city of Ma’rib. Saudi media outlets have accused Hezbollah of providing military support to the Houthis. For Riyadh, if Ma’rib were to fall it would pose two major threats. First, it would greatly strengthen the Houthis and, therefore, make them far less likely to accept political compromises that fall short of recognizing their full control of Yemen. And second, the consolidation of Houthi rule on Saudi Arabia’s southern border could potentially allow the Houthis, and beyond that Iran, to use Yemen as a pressure point against the kingdom in the future.”

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Arab News
Uproar Over ‘Hezbollah Pressure’ on Lebanese Military Judiciary
Najia Houssari

Houssari writes, “The families of those arrested in the Tayouneh violence that occurred on October 14, along with the families of those arrested in the Khalde incident that took place in early August, are up in arms over what they allege are the “biased actions” of the judicial authorities. The families have in recent days been reacting angrily about the lack of arrests of anyone associated with Hezbollah regarding either incident, ‘although the party and its gunmen were clearly involved in both.’ [They] are questioning whether the Lebanese military judiciary is turning a blind eye on those involved in the violence, or if the institution was shaken by the pressure Hezbollah exerts on every aspect of the state.”

Read more here

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.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/5/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Lebanon and IMF Begin Preliminary Discussions
The International Monetary Fund said yesterday that preparatory discussions on financing for Lebanon have begun. IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice reiterated that “strong policies and reforms” are needed to address Lebanon’s economic and social crises. [Reuters]

Saudi Arabia Import Ban Hits Lebanese Industries Hard
Last week when Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassadors from Beirut it also introduced a full ban on Lebanese imports, having already banned fruits and vegetables. This week businesses across Lebanon are already feeling the impact. Deputy head of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists said in the midst of the country’s economic crisis, industries were oping to boost exports to Saudi Arabia from $240 million to $600 million. “Now, it’s zero,” he says. To get around the ban, some Lebanese companies have already begun moving factories to Oman, Turkey, or Cyprus. [Reuters]

General Joseph Aoun Meets with DOD and Washington Officials
Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Joseph Aoun met with US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A. Milley yesterday at the Pentagon. Milley and other Department of Defense officials reaffirmed their strong support for the LAF. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Mara Karlin also spoke with Aoun and commended the LAF for its role in Lebanon’s internal stability and facilitation in humanitarian efforts. Discussions also covered the importance of respecting the Lebanese people’s right to protest peacefully. Aoun also met with White House and State Department officials as well as members of Congress this week. [Al Arabiya]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Middle East Institute
Lebanon’s Diplomatic Crisis with the Gulf Escalates
Christopher Abi-Nassif

Abi-Nassif writes, “Gulf partners, some of Lebanon’s closest allies historically and the home of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese expats, have grown disillusioned by the Lebanese political establishment’s inability to contain Hezbollah’s ascendency. No matter their political calculus, however, cutting ties with Beirut — a decision they are fully entitled to make — can only further strengthen the party’s grip over Lebanon. Many will argue that the latter is already lost to Iran anyway, and that attempting to reverse its slide toward the Iranian orbit is futile. But this rhetoric discounts the more than half the country that remains staunchly opposed to Hezbollah’s influence yet disempowered to counter it alone domestically. It’s not that the Lebanese can contain Hezbollah’s dominance but don’t want to. They want to but they can’t. Last week’s diplomatic storm will not help them do any better.”

Read more here

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.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/4/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Prime Minister Miqati Calls For Minister Kordahi’s Resignation
Prime Minister Najib Miqati said on Twitter today that he agreed with President Michel Aoun on a road map to solve an escalating diplomatic crisis with Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries. [Reuters] Following that tweet, Miqati urged Lebanon’s Information Minister George Kordahi to step down and that Kordahi’s resignation is a “priority” to help smooth relations in the Gulf. [AP]

US State Department Encourages Open Diplomatic Channels
Yesterday the US State Department’s spokesperson Ned Price said the United States urges open diplomatic channels between Lebanon and Gulf countries. During the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, State held separate meetings with Prime Minister Miqati and Gulf foreign ministers. Price urged open diplomatic channels in effort to seek improvements to humanitarian conditions in Lebanon. When asked if the US would call for Kordahi’s resignation, Price responded that the department is not going to offer a position on his employment. [US State Department]

UN Special Envoy on Poverty and Human Rights Visits Beirut
Earlier this week UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Olivier De Schutter visited Beirut. De Schutter visited neighborhoods damaged by the Beirut explosion and spoke with residents who complained that there was a lack government social protection programs, inconsistent cash distribution from the army, and general mismanagement in the initiatives taken to help residents. Many, especially those who lost their business in the blast, are concerned about paying rent and high utility costs. De Schutter will also visit Tripoli and the Shatila Palestinian refugee camp and present his findings at a press conference scheduled for November 12. [Al Jazeera]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Middle East Institute
Lebanon’s Diplomatic Crisis with the Gulf Escalates
Christopher Abi-Nassif

Abi-Nassif writes, “Gulf partners, some of Lebanon’s closest allies historically and the home of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese expats, have grown disillusioned by the Lebanese political establishment’s inability to contain Hezbollah’s ascendency. No matter their political calculus, however, cutting ties with Beirut — a decision they are fully entitled to make — can only further strengthen the party’s grip over Lebanon. Many will argue that the latter is already lost to Iran anyway, and that attempting to reverse its slide toward the Iranian orbit is futile. But this rhetoric discounts the more than half the country that remains staunchly opposed to Hezbollah’s influence yet disempowered to counter it alone domestically. It’s not that the Lebanese can contain Hezbollah’s dominance but don’t want to. They want to but they can’t. Last week’s diplomatic storm will not help them do any better.”

Read more here

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.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/3/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Bahrain Urges Citizens to Leave Lebanon
Amid a growing diplomatic crisis between Lebanon and Gulf countries, Bahrain urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave immediately in a statement put out by Bahrain’s foreign ministry. The Saudi-backed government in Yemen also pulled its ambassador from Beirut today, following Gulf countries’ ambassador-recall last weekend. [Reuters]

Lebanon’s FM Encourages Dialogue with Saudi Arabia
In an interview today Lebanon’s foreign minister Abdallah Bou Habib said that Lebanon is seeking dialogue with Saudi Arabia but that the kingdom’s terms for mending the two countries’ relationship is an impossible task. Saudi Arabia said that its decision to remove its ambassador from Beirut was motivated not just by Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi’s comments, but also by increasing dominance of Hezbollah over Lebanese politics. There has been no dialogue or meetings between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia since the new government was formed under Prime Minister Najib Miqati in September, according to Bou Habib. [Reuters] Meanwhile Lebanon’s Cabinet sessions are not set to reconvene until the issue is resolved. Some parties call for Kordahi’s resignation to help mend relations while others insist he should not. [Naharnet]

US Secretary of State Meets with PM Miqati
Yesterday US Secretary of State Antony Blink met with Prime Minister Najib Miqati on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. Blinken reiterated the United States’ support for the Lebanese people, further encouraged government reforms, and emphasized the importance of holding free and fair elections in the spring of 2022. [US State Department]

Daily Star Staff Waiting for Unpaid Salaries
Following The Daily Star’s official closure yesterday, former employees are asking for months of unpaid salaries. Lebanon’s Alternative Syndicate of the Press voiced concern over the matter and condemned The Daily Star’s administration for arbitrary dismissal and for withholding information on when employees will be paid. The syndicate’s coordinator said they will continue to pressure the newspaper through press and social media to compensate employees. [Al Jazeera]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Middle East Institute
Lebanon’s Diplomatic Crisis with the Gulf Escalates
Christopher Abi-Nassif

Abi-Nassif writes, “Gulf partners, some of Lebanon’s closest allies historically and the home of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese expats, have grown disillusioned by the Lebanese political establishment’s inability to contain Hezbollah’s ascendency. No matter their political calculus, however, cutting ties with Beirut — a decision they are fully entitled to make — can only further strengthen the party’s grip over Lebanon. Many will argue that the latter is already lost to Iran anyway, and that attempting to reverse its slide toward the Iranian orbit is futile. But this rhetoric discounts the more than half the country that remains staunchly opposed to Hezbollah’s influence yet disempowered to counter it alone domestically. It’s not that the Lebanese can contain Hezbollah’s dominance but don’t want to. They want to but they can’t. Last week’s diplomatic storm will not help them do any better.”

Read more here

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.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/2/2021

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DAILY NEWS

US Senators Urge Sanctions Framework for Lebanon
US Senators in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee urged the Biden administration to further develop a sanctions framework on Lebanon. Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Jim Risch (R-ID) wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen that the United States should be clear that it supports the Lebanese people by “ensuring that Lebanese leaders work on behalf of all Lebanese and that they will face accountability if they do not.” The letter supported sanctions placed on two Lebanese businessmen and an MP last week, but called for more. [Al Arabiya]

Macron Urges Gulf Countries to Recommit to Lebanon
After Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait pulled their ambassadors from Beirut, French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the Gulf countries to “recommit to Lebanon” in aim of pressing the country forward toward reforms. Macron reiterated his support for Prime Minister Najib Miqati and said he hopes Cabinet sessions will resume soon despite Lebanon’s diplomatic crisis with the Gulf. [Naharnet]

US Ambassador Overseas Medication Donations
US Ambassador Dorothy Shea oversaw a donation to the Hôpital Psychiatrique de la Croix made possible by Direct Relief International, People to People Aid, and the American Task Force on Lebanon. The donation included medications that were part of a $1 million shipment of psychotropic medications sent from the United States. [US Embassy Beirut]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Associated Press
Why Saudi Arabia is Upset, Lashing Out at Lebanon
Sarah El Deeb

El Deeb writes, “The Saudi measures are a huge blow to Mikati’s new government. The import ban means the loss of millions of dollars in desperately needed foreign currency. Any further escalation could undermine jobs of more than 350,000 Lebanese in Gulf Arab states who send home millions in remittances. Mikati and other officials have appealed to Kordahi to resign from the Cabinet, but it’s uncertain that would resolve the rift. Hezbollah has stood firmly behind the minister, saying his resignation won’t resolve what they called “extortion” to force Lebanon to change its foreign policy. It all portends more internal divisions in a government already paralyzed over the investigation into last year’s massive Beirut port explosion that killed more than 200 people.”

Read more here

L’Orient Today
Protecting Justice From Political Interference
Aya Majzoub

Majzoub writes, “We have found no evidence to suggest that Bitar is politicizing the Beirut blast probe. Yet, Hezbollah and the rest of the political establishment have upped the ante by demanding nothing less than Bitar’s removal from the case in a bid to undermine the investigation. The question is why. Yes, the investigation has implicated some Hezbollah members and their allies, as well as individuals from many of the major political parties in the country. But the course of this investigation also has implications for the future of justice in the country – which is why it must continue. Public, fair trials of those responsible for the Beirut blast could shatter the reigning culture of impunity in Lebanon. Fundamentally, the success or failure of the investigation will make clear if Lebanon is a country with rule of law, including against senior political and security officials who belong to powerful and previously untouchable political parties.”

Read more here

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.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 11/1/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Gulf States Withdraw Ambassadors from Beirut
Over the weekend Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait pulled their ambassadors from Beirut in what is being considered a diplomatic crisis following the release of Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi’s comments on the war in Yemen, which he called an “aggression.” [NY Times] Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister refuted the idea that KSA is experiencing a diplomatic crisis, but added that it does not see engagement with Beirut as “productive or useful.” [CNBC]

PM Miqati to Meet with Macron and Foreign Ministers in Glasgow
Prime Minister Najib Miqati is set to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron today at the UN climate summit in Glasgow. Miqati is also expected to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as well as foreign ministers of Turkey, Kuwait, and Egypt. Reports say that the prime minister will be insisting on Information Minister Kordahi’s resignation to resolve the crisis with Gulf states. [Naharnet]

Egypt’s Petrol Minister Says Gas Exports to Start by End of 2021
Egypt’s Minister of Petrol Tarek El Molla recently said in an interview that the country’s gas exports to Lebanon are expected to start by the end of the year. [The 961] As agreed upon by all four countries, the gas will flow from Egypt through Jordan and Syria to Lebanon. Jordan will generate electricity to be transferred through Syria’s grid to Lebanon.

OPINION & ANALYSIS

L’Orient Today
Protecting Justice From Political Interference
Aya Majzoub

Majzoub writes, “We have found no evidence to suggest that Bitar is politicizing the Beirut blast probe. Yet, Hezbollah and the rest of the political establishment have upped the ante by demanding nothing less than Bitar’s removal from the case in a bid to undermine the investigation. The question is why. Yes, the investigation has implicated some Hezbollah members and their allies, as well as individuals from many of the major political parties in the country. But the course of this investigation also has implications for the future of justice in the country – which is why it must continue. Public, fair trials of those responsible for the Beirut blast could shatter the reigning culture of impunity in Lebanon. Fundamentally, the success or failure of the investigation will make clear if Lebanon is a country with rule of law, including against senior political and security officials who belong to powerful and previously untouchable political parties.”

Read more here

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.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 10/26/2021

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DAILY NEWS

PM Miqati Hopes Cabinet Meetings will Resume Soon
Prime Minister Najib Miqati expressed hope today that cabinet meetings would resume soon. The meetings have been on pause following this month’s violent clashes in Beirut over Judge Tarek Bitar’s port investigation. [Reuters] Since then, Lebanon’s government has remained paralyzed while Hezbollah and Amal officials call for Bitar’s removal. [France 24]

President Aoun Urges IMF Negotiations
Today President Michel Aoun urged the resumption of cabinet sessions under Prime Minister Miqati’s government in order to move ahead with IMF negotiations and come to a funding agreement. Aoun has supported the continuation of the Beirut Port investigation and rejected any political interference in the judiciary. [Al Arabiya] He added that despite recurring disruptions, “there is no going back to civil war in Lebanon.” [Naharnet]

President Aoun Sends Electoral Amendment Back
Last week Lebanon’s parliament voted to hold elections on March 27, but at the end of the week President Michel Aoun sent the amendment on election rules back to parliament for reconsideration. Aoun said in a statement, “shortening the constitutional deadline that comes ahead of the elections exposes the electoral process to the voters absence due to climate and logistical reasons.” [Al Arabiya]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Is It Even Possible to Segment the Lebanon/Syria Files?
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “Why are Iranian shipments [of fuel] needed since US partners in the Gulf have more than enough export capacity to take care of Lebanon’s needs? Our diplomatic efforts with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait should have taken precedence over a pipeline deal that raises sanctions issues and won’t be viable until the end of the year. So what happened, and why isn’t Lebanon supported by its fellow Arabs to counter Iran’s ploy to give Hezbollah bragging rights? This is just another indicator that without a regional strategy and country-specific game plans, the understaffed and under-resourced State Department will not be able to keep up with the twists and turns affecting our interests.”

Read more here

AP News
The Judge Leading Beirut Blast Probe: Discreet and Defiant
Sarah El Deeb and Bassem Mroue

Deeb and Mroue write, “At first, suspected officials took cover behind parliamentary or professional immunity, declining to appear before him. They accused him of singling out some officials and not others, in an apparent attempt to stoke sectarian grudges in a country divided along sectarian lines. Then they sued him and tried to discredit him, saying he showed bias and was allied with foreign powers. Hatem Madi, a veteran judge and prosecutor, said he never before witnessed such a standoff between the political class and the judiciary. The new government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati is already in a deadlock over how to respond to calls for removal of Bitar. Meanwhile, Bitar has not backed down, reissuing his summonses to senior officials. He now moves around with guards. The judge has been open to visitors and questions about the legal process, but he is careful not to divulge his next moves, the legal expert said.”

Read more here

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.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 10/25/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Sixty-Eight People Charged over Beirut Clashes
Today 68 people were charged over the deadly clashes in Beirut that killed seven people and left dozens wounded earlier this month. Judge Fadi Akiki issued the charges through the military court with crimes including murder, attempted murder, inciting sectarian strife, unlicensed weapons, and sabotage. [AP] Head of the Lebanese Forces party Samir Geagea has also been summoned for a hearing by Army Intelligence over the clashes. Geagea has denied allegations that the gunmen from the shootings are from the Lebanese Forces. [Reuters]

Higher Judicial Council Urges Bitar to Finalize Investigation
The Higher Judicial Council summoned Judge Tarek Bitar to review the Beirut Port blast investigation process resulting in a meeting with Bitar today. In a statement, the Council said that during the discussion it urged Bitar to complete the investigation, stressing that he should “finalize the investigation as soon as possible according to legal norms, in order to fulfill justice and hold perpetrators responsible.” [Naharnet]

Lebanon Says Formal IMF Negotiations to Start in November
On Friday Lebanon’s Economy Minister Amin Salam said that the government is planning to make progress in formal negotiations with the IMF before the end of the year or early next year. He said they are not expecting funds to be distributed before March elections. Yesterday, Lebanon’s foreign minister added that formal negotiations will likely start in November. [Reuters]

President Aoun Sends Electoral Amendment Back
Last week Lebanon’s parliament voted to hold elections on March 27, but at the end of the week President Michel Aoun sent the amendment on election rules back to parliament for reconsideration. Aoun said in a statement, “shortening the constitutional deadline that comes ahead of the elections exposes the electoral process to the voters absence due to climate and logistical reasons.” [Al Arabiya]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Is It Even Possible to Segment the Lebanon/Syria Files?
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “Why are Iranian shipments [of fuel] needed since US partners in the Gulf have more than enough export capacity to take care of Lebanon’s needs? Our diplomatic efforts with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait should have taken precedence over a pipeline deal that raises sanctions issues and won’t be viable until the end of the year. So what happened, and why isn’t Lebanon supported by its fellow Arabs to counter Iran’s ploy to give Hezbollah bragging rights? This is just another indicator that without a regional strategy and country-specific game plans, the understaffed and under-resourced State Department will not be able to keep up with the twists and turns affecting our interests.”

Read more here

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.