Aoun, Mikati Hold Unfruitful Meeting Amid Disagreement Over Government Lineup Why Lebanese Citizens Are Joining The Migrant Tide Out of the Middle East UNICEF Publishes New Report on Deprived Childhoods in Lebanon
Lebanon Faces Judicial Paralysis as Judges Refuse to Work
Aoun, Mikati Hold Unfruitful Meeting Amid Disagreement Over Government Lineup In a meeting to discuss cabinet formation, PM Mikati expressed his desire to preserve a cabinet of 24 ministers and replace the Ministers of the Displaced and the Interior while President Aoun advocated for an expansion of the cabinet to include six new ministers of state to account for a potential vacuum in the presidency. [Asharq Al-Awsat]
RESPONSE
PM-Designate Mikati again failed in his efforts to convince President Aoun and his FPM supporters that the formation of a government is vitally necessary in order to implement IMF-mandated reforms, increase electricity production, resolve the maritime border issue with Israel, and appoint reform-oriented leaders who put their country’s interests ahead of their own political ambitions. Meanwhile, electricity production has gone from about 4 hours a day down to zero due to the incompetence of those responsible and PM-Designate Mikati’s inability to put new ministers in place.
-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel
Why Lebanese Citizens Are Joining The Migrant Tide Out of the Middle East Nadia Al-Faour writes, “Even before the economic collapse in Lebanon, Syrian and Palestinian refugees living there were struggling to get by. Many chose to uproot themselves once again and set out in search of greater security overseas, often turning to people smugglers for help. Now, the situation looks so hopeless that a growing number of Lebanese citizens who lack the means to pay for safe and legal passage abroad are also risking the same dangerous, illegal sea crossings to Europe.” [Arab News]
RESPONSE
The exodus from Lebanon, which once mostly involved Syrian and Palestinian refugees looking for a better life, has now become a risk worth taking for the Lebanese themselves. A country with a 70% plus poverty rate is struggling to feed even the neediest of the poor, let alone provide for other basic necessities. What other options do the most vulnerable have but to leave? It is not just the poor who are emigrating as Lebanon continues to destabilize. Approximately 40% of doctors have left the country and anyone with a foreign visa or dual residency, usually the educated, are going abroad. This is resulting in a loss of needed technical skills in the education and medical fields. Lebanese leadership has very few weeks to prove to the world that they are aware of the critical nature of the problem and enact emergency reform measures that will attract the attention and support of the international community.
-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel
UNICEF Publishes New Report on Deprived Childhoods in Lebanon “A UNICEF report shows that much of the progress towards achieving children’s basic rights–including the right to health, education, protection, play and recreation–has been eroded by the economic crisis and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic…The report, based on a UNICEF study on child poverty and a child-focused rapid assessment (CFRA), shows that children are keenly aware of the effect the crisis is having on their lives and on the country. Many no longer dream of a better future in Lebanon and believe emigration is their only hope.” [UNICEF]
RESPONSE
For how much longer can Lebanon’s leaders ignore the needs of the children? From basic nutrition and education to subsistence for their families, youth are desperate for credible signs of a better tomorrow. Nothing will help Lebanon more than investing in its young people and building their hopes for a better future. Whichever political coalition takes lead, the basic issue is putting in place a social safety net that responds to the immediate and future needs of Lebanon’s families.
-ATFL Vice President Jean AbiNader
Lebanon Faces Judicial Paralysis as Judges Refuse to Work Najia Houssari writes, “Judges in Lebanon continued their protest on Tuesday after a meeting to review their issues proved inconclusive. About 400 out of 550 judges suspended services last week after talks with political leaders failed to secure their minimum demands. The judges include the president of the Supreme Judicial Council of Lebanon, council members, judges from the cassation and appeal courts, public prosecution offices, tribunals, and judicial departments.” [Arab News]
RESPONSE
Striking judges are just the latest manifestation of the endemic mismanagement of Lebanon. Depriving any public officials of the compensation for their livelihood indicates that political leaders are satisfied with the continued weakening of public institutions. Whether it is school teachers, traffic police, nurses, or lawyers, there seems to be a reluctance to take responsibility for ensuring the lives of state employees and their families. Lebanon cannot function without a sufficient number of trained employees, administrators, and officials. Undermining the judiciary undermines the rule of law.
-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.
