May 9, 2021
Lebanese Continue to Wait for Justice and Accountability
Saudi and Syrian Intelligence Chiefs Meet in Damascus
Response to Tracy Chamoun’s Opinion Piece

Lebanese Continue to Wait for Justice and Accountability
Politicization of Lebanon’s judiciary is a deep and ongoing problem. Political interference continues to slow or completely halt investigations into corruption, violence, and assassinations. Lebanese citizens are still waiting for justice for the Port of Beirut explosion last year and for political leaders to be held accountable for the multiple crises inflicting the country. [Associated Press]

ANALYSIS

“How much longer can the Lebanese endure the lack of accountability of its leadership? No port investigation results; the financial audit is still problematic; corruption and money outflows continue unabated; and the judiciary is broken. The courts have no independence; politics dominate the proceedings; judges owe their positions to the power brokers; and the people have no effective recourse to a damaged and much despised system. How can they begin to trust that the upcoming elections will be free and fair?”
-ATFL Policy Director Jean AbiNader

Saudi and Syrian Intelligence Chiefs Meet in Damascus
Last Monday a delegation from Saudi Arabia led by intelligence chief General Khalid Hamaidan travelled to Damascus to meet with Syria’s General Ali Mamlouk. The meeting is the first of its kind since the Syrian civil war started 10 years ago and is seen as what could be the beginning of normalized relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria. [The Guardian]

ANALYSIS

“This year is the 10th anniversary of the beginning of the Syrian civil war. More than 500,000 Syrians have died and more than half of the population has been displaced. Assad was expelled from the Arab League as a result of the carnage of the civilian population. Now Arab countries are re-engaging with Syria for a variety of reasons. Some of this rapprochement is as a result of Russian encouragement; others in the vain hope that it will separate Assad from Iran’s orbit. Wishful thinking. Syria is part of Iran’s hegemonic vision which seeks the destruction of Israel and domination of the region. Make no mistake. Syria remains an enemy of the US and Lebanon.”
-ATFL Policy Director Jean AbiNader

Opinion Piece

Tracy Chamoun: Finance Card for the Poor – A Mirage in the Lebanese Desert of Incompetence

In light of the Central Bank’s reserve depletions and the Lebanese government’s financial card proposal awaiting approval, Tracy Chamoun questions where the money to fund the financial cards will come from. She writes, “Because no one has made provisions for the money to come from anywhere else, the Government is betting on the money already bequeathed by the World Bank to start to pay for the ‘Finance Card’ and when this runs out, they will have no choice but to take it from the Obligatory Reserves.” [Chamoun]

ANALYSIS

Ambassador Gabriel notes, “The Central Bank will run out of money in the next few months and be forced to dip into its reserves, which will drive the country towards total collapse. Ambassador Chamoun sums up the tragedy, ‘This is where we are today. No money and no Government in sight, no strategy or concessions to obtain sustainable external aid and no haste in remedying the problem.’ The US and France should provide additional support for a cash card system focused on helping the poorest of the poor in Lebanon for basic necessities and educational support. The US and France should quit wasting its time trying to work through an incompetent political system in Lebanon and instead directly invest in the people of Lebanon, who are the future of a prosperous and democratic county.”
-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel

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.