March 28, 2021
Arab Leagues Offers to Intervene
Arab Leagues Offers to Intervene
Diab Asks for Caretaker Role Interpretation
Fights Break Out in Grocery Stores as Food Prices Soar
Arab League Offers to Intervene in Lebanon’s Political Gridlock
On Tuesday, the Arab League expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Lebanon and urged political leaders in Lebanon to end the political deadlock. The organization offered to intervene to help overcome the crisis. [Reuters]
On Tuesday, the Arab League expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Lebanon and urged political leaders in Lebanon to end the political deadlock. The organization offered to intervene to help overcome the crisis. [Reuters]
ANALYSIS
“While the Arab League offer to urge Lebanese politicians to work quickly to end a political deadlock, more is needed from the US and France. The ATFL and MEI have collaborated on a policy brief to the Biden Administration on how to help Lebanon. The first recommendation underscores the need for the US lead a high-level contact group to Lebanon to urge the leadership to step aside in favor of a reform government that can address the needs of the Lebanese people. If no response is forthcoming, the US, France, and its partners should announce during the same trip the establishment of an international fund that will bypass government and address the urgent humanitarian and social safety net needs of the Lebanese through international organizations and NGOs, and Lebanese civil society. Saving the Lebanese people should now be the focus of the international community, rather than a government that shows no interest in the needs of its people.”
-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel
-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel
Diab Asks for Caretaker Role Interpretation
On Wednesday Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab asked Lebanon’s parliament to identify a “constitutional interpretation” that defined the limits of a caretaker Cabinet’s jurisdiction and role. The request comes days after Hasan Nasrallah called for reactivating the resigned government. [Naharnet]
On Wednesday Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab asked Lebanon’s parliament to identify a “constitutional interpretation” that defined the limits of a caretaker Cabinet’s jurisdiction and role. The request comes days after Hasan Nasrallah called for reactivating the resigned government. [Naharnet]
ANALYSIS
“Caretaker Diab’s call for a constitutional interpretation of the role of a caretaker government is the most recent reminder of the inept character of the Parliament’s incapacity for constructive leadership. It passes legislation but does not provide for implementation; it creates programs but sets weak or non-existent standards for performance; it fiddles while the country burns. When will leadership emerge that acts as if Lebanon is a country of people, not sectarian interests?”
-ATFL Policy Director Jean AbiNader
-ATFL Policy Director Jean AbiNader
Fights Break Out in Grocery Stores as Food Prices Soar
Grocery stores are struggling to stay open as food prices rise over 400 percent. Lebanese are having trouble obtaining even basic staples and essentials like oil, flour, sugar, and rice have tripled or quadrupled in price. Out of desperation, fights have broken out in grocery store aisles over food items subsidized by the government. [New York Times]
Grocery stores are struggling to stay open as food prices rise over 400 percent. Lebanese are having trouble obtaining even basic staples and essentials like oil, flour, sugar, and rice have tripled or quadrupled in price. Out of desperation, fights have broken out in grocery store aisles over food items subsidized by the government. [New York Times]
ANALYSIS
“The story by now is well known – food prices have soared more than 450% over last year and the ability of people to pay even the inflated prices has decreased more than 90%. It is a crime against humanity that progress is not being made on stabilizing the currency and restoring some degree of consumer viability. Our colleagues at LIFE and the caretaker Minister of the Economy and his advisor have both issued papers that should be read about immediate short-term band-aids that will restore the capacity of the poor, extreme poor, and those facing food shortages to survive. Their advice should be heeded.”
-ATFL Policy Director Jean AbiNader
-ATFL Policy Director 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.