July 24, 2021
President Biden Extends Executive Order 13441
US Treasury Delegation Conducts Three-Day Visit in Beirut
Lebanese MPs Sign Motion for Officials to Be Tried Through the Supreme Council
Fire Exchanged Along Lebanon’s Southern Border and Israel
President Biden Extends Executive Order 13441
In a letter to Congress this week, President Joe Biden said he will continue a declaration of national emergency with respect to Lebanon in accordance with Executive Order 13441. He added that Iran’s arms transfers to Hezbollah continue to undermine the country’s sovereignty and contribute to regional instability. This is the fourteenth year that a national emergency for Lebanon will be extended. [Al Arabiya]
RESPONSE
“Even with these extensions that declare a state of national emergency in Lebanon, the plight of the Lebanese people continues to spiral out of control. Where will it all end and when will the political leadership in Lebanon face the fact that they only have themselves to blame for one of the worst economic crises since the mid-1800’s? Although America has too much at stake to see Lebanon fail and will do its share to help Lebanon, the commitment to a permanent solution has to come from the Lebanese.”
-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel
US Treasury Delegation Conducts Three-Day Visit in Beirut
This week a US delegation from the Department of Treasury’s Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes offices conducted a three-day visit to Beirut to meet with financial sector interlocutors and civil society groups. The delegation focused discussions on corruption, illicit finance, and counterterrorism issues. [Al Arabiya]
RESPONSE
“The Biden administration is underscoring two important policies by the visit by Treasury Department officials. The US will continue to apply sanctions on officials who are corrupt, harbor terrorism, or do not respect the human rights of Lebanese citizens. And, given the pending sanctions being prepared by the Europeans and their recent meetings with the US regarding Lebanon, the Biden administration is following through on a stated policy of coordinating with its allies which have common interests in countries like Lebanon.”
-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel
Lebanese MPs Sign Motion for Officials to Be Tried Through the Supreme Council
Some Lebanese MPs are supporting a motion that would allow officials surrounding the August 4 Beirut blast to be investigated and tried through a special judicial body, the Supreme Council. These officials include four ex-ministers that Judge Tarek Bitar has previously called in for questioning. If the motion passes and these ex-ministers are called into the Supreme Council, Bitar will be unable to charge them. Legal activists and blast victim family members have criticized this move as an attempt to obstruct accountability. [Al Jazeera] Legal Agenda, a Beirut-based NGO revealed that more than 50 MPs signed on to the motion. [The 961] Former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs writes of Lebanon’s justice problems in this Foreign Policy article.
RESPONSE
“The judicial system is under attack again in Lebanon. As former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker noted in his commentary on the Special Tribunal, and buttressed by the articles on challenges to the Beirut Port explosions investigation instigated by members of Parliament, Lebanon’s leaders are shameless in undermining judiciary independence, even though it’s called for in the constitution and the Taif Agreement. Lebanon can never be free without institutions that support the rule of law, for all Lebanese, not just those who are able to avoid their accountability under the law.”
-ATFL Policy Director Jean AbiNader
Fire Exchanged Along Lebanon’s Southern Border and Israel
In response to two rockets that were fired from southern Lebanon earlier this week, Israel fired 12 artillery shells at the Wadi Hammoul area. There were no casualties or injuries reported on either side. [Al Jazeera] Israel Defense Force Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi threatened covert and overt response to future attacks from Lebanon. [Newsweek]
RESPONSE
“The recent Israeli air strikes and rocket fire in response to rocket attacks originating in Syria and Lebanon are leading once again to battle cries between Syria and Israel. No one is asking the Lebanese if they mind being the conflict area wherein Hezbollah, Syria, Israel, and terrorist groups generate unwanted tensions and pressures undermining Lebanese sovereignty. The latest round of exchanges and accusations strengthens the need to renew the UNIFIL mandate to monitor and report on disturbances that erode the safety of civilians in the area. The continued calling out of those who are putting Lebanon in danger is a useful tool in challenging those who disregard Lebanon’s independence.”
-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.