Why a Hostage-Taker in Lebanon was Hailed as a National Hero The Proper Application of the Public Procurement Law Still Has a Long Way to Go Lebanon is Not Resilient, It is Traumatized
Why a Hostage-Taker in Lebanon was Hailed as a National Hero Last week, a man held employees and customers hostage in a Beirut-based bank in an effort not to rob it, but to demand for his own money back. His deposit in the bank was $210,000 and he needed to withdraw $10,000 to pay for an operation for his father. Like the majority of Lebanese, he was unable to withdraw this money because his account had been frozen. [CNN]
RESPONSE
This would be humorous if it weren’t so sad. Lebanese leaders have not woken up and if something isn’t done to relieve the economic plight of the Lebanese citizen, outrage will turn into civil unrest and violence. One may think things can’t get worse, but they certainly can if nothing is done to help the working poor and middle class of Lebanon.
-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel
The Proper Application of the Public Procurement Law Still Has a Long Way to Go Fouad Gemayel writes, “After the new public procurement law, published on July 28, entered into force, the Gherbal Initiative civil society organization launched the Monaqasa (Arabic for tender) project on Wednesday, in cooperation with the US Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and the Basil Fuleihan Institute.”
[L’Orient Today]
RESPONSE
According to the story, this is the first of the “reform” package that has actually passed parliament, but it has so many flaws and opposition from the political class that its future is uncertain. If the traditional leaders do not demonstrate more commitment to changing how Lebanon is governed, the price to pay is more human misery and a dysfunctional government that could bring about increased civil strife and dissent. There is a very thin line between public demonstrations and violent protests. The strikes have already started. There is little time to waste before it is too late.
-ATFL Vice President Jean AbiNader
Lebanon is Not Resilient, It is Traumatized Nadim Shehadi writes, “How does a whole society become submissive, overtaken by apathy and unable to react or protest, while exhibiting signs of confusion, defeatism and incoherence? Lebanon is not a resilient country, as is often claimed. Rather, it is deeply traumatized by the events of the last two decades and has lost the will to resist or the ability to revolt.” [Arab News]
RESPONSE
It is mystifying that the Lebanese see few alternatives outside the status quo, returning the same traditional leaders to power with a few notable exceptions. Maybe it’s time to stop being called resilient and instead become innovative and ground-breaking. This is the time to experiment with new approaches, from the municipal level upwards, which can transform a traditionally elitist top-down system into a dignity-based and inclusive model of governance that is both representative of and responsive to the needs of working men and women.
-ATFL Vice President Jean AbiNader
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed 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.
