A Bundle Of English Reports, News and Editorials For March 09-10/2020 Addressing the On Going Mass Demonstrations & Sit In-ins In Iranian Occupied Lebanon in its 145th Day

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A Bundle Of English Reports, News and Editorials For March 09-10/2020 Addressing the On Going Mass Demonstrations & Sit In-ins In Iranian Occupied Lebanon in its 145th Day
Compiled By: Elias Bejjani
March 10/2020

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on March 09-10/2020
Nine new cases of the Coronavirus in Lebanon, raising total to 41
Nine new coronavirus cases detected in Lebanon, total 41
Hasan Says Coronavirus Spread in Lebanon Still Limited
Coronavirus Fears Shuts Parliament Building for a Week
Batroun Public Hospital denies news of Coronavirus case
Lebanon Receives Coronavirus Medical Aid from France
Lebanon Coronavirus Cases Surge to 41 after Nine More Confirmed
Coronavirus Suspect Returned to Hospital after ‘Escaping’ to Airport
MEA Suspends KSA, Kuwait and Qatar Flights
Tenenti to NNA: UNIFIL soldier tests negative for coronavirus
Jumblat Criticizes Diab and His Govt. after Default Speech
Global Health Institute at AUB and “Epic” celebrate Sijilli cloudbased electronic health records for 10,000 refugees in Lebanon
Berri tackles overall situation with Yammine, Najjar
Rebuttal of meeting with Nasrallah
Abdel Samad, Lazzarini broach media projects
MEA suspends flights to and from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar until further notice
Hitti receives medical protection equipment from France
Man Threatens to Blow Himself on South Highway
Lebanese Opposition Fears Govt. Move to Normalize Relations with Syrian Regime
Rai Warns Against Tampering With Lebanon’s Fate
Beirut on the brink: Eurobonds are just the tip of the iceberg
Lebanese protesters relieved and anxious after the government’s decision to default on debt
The Impossibility of Perceiving the Lebanese Revolution as though Hezbollah Does not Exist/Hazem Saghieh/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 09/2020

The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on March 09-10/2020
Nine new cases of the Coronavirus in Lebanon, raising total to 41
The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 23/01-12:”Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Nine new coronavirus cases detected in Lebanon, total 41
Souad El Skaf, Al Arabiya English/Monday, 9 March 2020
Lebanon reported nine new confirmed cases of the deadly coronavirus on Monday, raising the total number of cases in the country to 41, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) citing a daily report issued by Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut. “During the past 24 hours, 132 cases in the emergency unit designated to receive cases suspected of being infected with the disease, and 23 of them had to be admitted to the quarantine section while the rest adhered to home quarantine,” read the hospital’s statement carried by the news agency. “Laboratory tests were conducted for over 122 cases, 113 of which were negative and nine positive,” the hospital report indicated. It also disclosed that “16 cases that were held in quarantine were released,” on Monday after the test results came out negative. On Sunday, the hospital reported four new cases of the COVID-19 virus.Check out our dedicated coronavirus site here.

Hasan Says Coronavirus Spread in Lebanon Still Limited
Naharnet/March 09/2020
Health Minister Hamad Hasan announced Monday that the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in Lebanon is still “limited,” days after he declared that the country was no longer in the containment phase.
In an interview with Radio Voice of All Lebanon, Hasan said the virus is in “a limited and not a general outbreak phase.”“Despite all the pressure and the talk about the virus, Lebanon is still among the countries in which the infections number is medium and this is good,” Hasan added, attributing the reported medium level of cases to “the rise in the awareness of the Lebanese.”“This greatly helps in stemming the spread of this virus,” he said. Lebanon has so far confirmed 32 coronavirus cases and an emergency ward has been opened at the state-run Rafik Hariri hospital in Beirut to receive suspected cases and quarantine confirmed ones. The country has closed educational institutions, sports clubs, nightclubs, pubs, fairs and other venues and urged against all gatherings as a precaution against the virus.

Coronavirus Fears Shuts Parliament Building for a Week

Naharnet/March 09/2020
The General Secretariat of the Lebanese Parliament on Monday announced in a statement that all the offices at the parliament building will be shut for a week over coronavirus concerns.
The statement said because of the general public health conditions and out of keenness for the health of lawmakers and their visitors and based on Speaker Nabih Berri’s instructions, it has been decided to:
1-Postpone the weekly Wednesday meetings usually held at the Speakership headquarters in Ain el-Tineh.
2- Postpone for one week the meetings of the parliamentary committees.
3-The lawmakers’ offices at the parliament building will be shut for one week to conduct sterilization procedures.
Lebanon on Sunday confirmed four new coronavirus cases, taking the overall tally to 32, according to the state-run Rafik Hariri University Hospital. A statement issued by the hospital said it received 100 cases at its coronavirus section over the past 24 hours.
Lebanon has closed schools, sport clubs, nightclubs, fairs and other venues and urged against gatherings, after Health Minister Hamad Hasan announced that the country is no longer in the containment phase regarding the virus. The number of novel coronavirus cases worldwide has crossed 110,000 people in 100 countries and territories with more than 3,800 dead, according to an AFP tally on Monday.

Batroun Public Hospital denies news of Coronavirus case
NNA/March 09/2020
The General Secretariat o
The Batroun Government Hospital administration denied, in an issued statement on Monday, the presence of a coronavirus infected case in the hospital, contrary to rumors “which are only intended to create confusion and an atmosphere of fear and terror among the citizens.”

Lebanon Receives Coronavirus Medical Aid from France
Naharnet/March 09/2020
Lebanon on Monday received a French medical shipment aimed at assisting the country in confronting the COVID-19 coronavirus. Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti and French Embassy Charge d’Affaires Salina Grenet-Catalano attended the handover ceremony at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport. In a statement, the French Embassy said the shipment was sent following “an official request from Lebanese authorities.”“In solidarity with Lebanon, France sent around 500 kilograms of medical protection equipment to the Rafik Hariri hospital,” the statement said. It said the shipment includes 500 personal protection suits, 1,000 gloves, 50 pairs of protective shoes and 50 fever thermometers. “France will continue to support the global efforts in the face of this pandemic,” the statement added. Lebanon has so far confirmed 32 coronavirus cases and an emergency ward has been opened at the state-run Rafik Hariri hospital in Beirut to receive suspected cases and quarantine confirmed ones. The country closed educational institutions, sport clubs, nightclubs, fairs and other venues and urged against gatherings, after Health Minister Hamad Hasan announced that Lebanon is no longer in the containment phase regarding the virus. On Monday the minister clarified that there is “a limited and not a general spread of the virus.”

Lebanon Coronavirus Cases Surge to 41 after Nine More Confirmed
Naharnet/March 09/2020
Lebanon’s coronavirus cases rose to 41 on Monday following the confirmation of nine more infections, the state-run Rafik Hariri University Hospital said. In a statement, it said it received 132 individuals at its special coronavirus section of whom 23 were kept in quarantine and the rest were told to observe home isolation. MTV later identified the nine cases confirmed Monday as five employees of a Jbeil hospital, two employees of a Beirut hospital, a person who was in Dubai and a passenger of an Iranian plane that landed in Beirut on February 24. The Rafik Hariri hospital said it conducted 122 lab tests of which 113 tested negative and nine tested positive. “Sixteen people left hospital after their lab tests came out negative and 26 people remain in quarantine,” the hospital added. Noting that its labs have so far confirmed 41 coronavirus cases, RHUH said 30 of the patients are being isolated at the hospital while the others will be transferred to it from other hospitals. It added that the patients are all in a stable condition except for four who are critical. Lebanon closed educational institutions, sports clubs, nightclubs, pubs, fairs and other venues and urged against all gatherings after Health Minister Hasan Hamad said the virus was no longer contained in Lebanon. The minister clarified Monday that the outbreak in the country is still “limited,” lauding the “awareness” of citizens.

Coronavirus Suspect Returned to Hospital after ‘Escaping’ to Airport
Naharnet/March 09/2020
A man suspected of being infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus was apprehended at Beirut’s airport and returned to the Rafik Hariri University Hospital after he refused to remain in hospital pending the results of the virus test. Media reports had said that a “coronavirus patient” had escaped from the hospital overnight and headed to the airport where he was “arrested.”But the director of the airport’s health office, Dr. Hasan Mallah, told An-Nahar newspaper that the man is not a patient but rather a suspected case. “We were notified of his issue and we circulated his name to General Security, which apprehended him before he was transferred to the Rafik Hariri University Hospital via the Red Cross,” Mallah added. “His fate will be determined based on the result of the coronavirus test. If it comes out negative, he will be allowed to travel to the country he was heading to, Canada, and if it comes out positive he will have to stay in hospital pending his recovery, as is the case of the other patients,” the official said. Fearing that he would be isolated for 14 days, the man had left hospital, packed his suitcases and headed at dawn to the airport, LBCI TV said. An official at the Rafik Hariri University Hospital refused to label what happened as an “escape.”“The person headed to the emergency room showing the symptoms but his infection was not confirmed,” the RHUH official told LBCI. “He refused to stay in quarantine but this does not mean that he escaped from the hospital,” he added. “After he was arrested at the airport, the Red Cross transferred him to the hospital where the coronavirus test was conducted for him and he is still in hospital pending the result,” the official said. Lebanon has so far confirmed 41 coronavirus cases and an emergency ward has been opened at the state-run Rafik Hariri hospital in Beirut to receive suspected cases and quarantine confirmed ones. The country has closed educational institutions, sports clubs, nightclubs, pubs, fairs and other venues and urged against all gatherings as a precaution against the virus.

MEA Suspends KSA, Kuwait and Qatar Flights

Naharnet/March 09/2020
Lebanon’s national carrier MEA on Monday announced the temporary suspension of its flights from and to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar until further announcement.MEA said it took its decision “in light of the resolutions taken by a number of countries on halting travel with the aim of countering the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.”The airline also said that its customers will be exempted from any fines and restrictions related to cancelation, rebooking and non-appearance until March 31, adding that this decision applies to all destinations.

Tenenti to NNA: UNIFIL soldier tests negative for coronavirus
NNA/March 09/2020
Responding to a question by the National News Agency, UNIFIL Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said: “In view of the global health emergency declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) following the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, UNIFIL from the very beginning has been taking all the necessary precautionary measures in coordination with our medical unit in order to prevent any infection of the virus among the Mission’s more than 11,000 military and civilian peacekeepers.” He added that “On 7 March, one of our peacekeepers based in a UNIFIL position in the village of Maraka showed some of the symptoms after returning from a trip to Egypt. As soon as our medical unit detected the symptoms, we were in touch with Lebanese authorities and coordinated the transportation to the Rafic Hariri University Hospital in coordination with the Lebanese Red Cross, as per national health policy.” Tenenti stressed that UNIFIL has taken all necessary precautionary measures including putting in quarantine those who had been in contact with the peacekeeper. He further added that “This evening, the results of the test conducted in the Rafic Hariri Hospital came out negative. Nonetheless we have been putting in place very strict rules and medical procedures for all our personnel – both military and civilian – in order to prevent or minimize any spread of the virus.” The UNIFIL spokesperson added that “Health advisories have been sent to all military and civilian personnel to ensure that they all abide by the WHO guidelines and national policies. UNIFIL continues to cooperate and work with national authorities as well as UNIFIL’s troop-contributing countries in containing the potential spread of the virus in Lebanon.” “UNIFIL continues to carry out its operational activities 24/7,” added Tenenti.

Jumblat Criticizes Diab and His Govt. after Default Speech

Naharnet/March 09/2020
Progressive Socialist Party leader ex-MP Walid Jumblat on Monday criticized the government and its premier Hassan Diab in connection with the latter’s latest speech. “What does this government have in store? Its premier did not mention a word about reform, the electricity sector, the protection of industry and the control of legal and illegal border crossings,” Jumblat tweeted. “He overlooked the coronavirus, the judicial appointments and other issues and voiced ambiguous remarks about debt. The truth is they are trying to spread bankruptcy and take vengeance on a political class through the tools of spite and totalitarianism,” the PSP leader charged. Diab announced Saturday that Lebanon “will seek to restructure its debts in a manner consistent with the national interest” through negotiations with creditors. He said that debt restructuring is part of a wider economic rescue plan that seeks to cut state spending and save more than $350 million annually.Diab also said that downsizing the banking sector is part of the reform plan, assuring foreign donors of Lebanon’s commitment to reforms pledged at a conference dubbed CEDRE in Paris in April 2018.

Global Health Institute at AUB and “Epic” celebrate Sijilli cloudbased electronic health records for 10,000 refugees in Lebanon
NNA/March 09/2020
In an attempt to facilitate the access of refugees to health services in refugee-hosting countries, the Global Health Institute (GHI) at the American University of Beirut (AUB), through its E-Sahha Program (ESP), launched the ‘Sijilli’ project in July 2018. The project was launched as a response to the increasing need for an innovation that allows refugees and their health providers to access their health information, wherever they are in the world, in a highly secure manner.
Sijilli is a cloud-based mobile electronic health record (EHR) characterized by its contextualized design, applicability in low-resource settings, and potential for upscaling. It aims to serve as a model to securely collect and maintain health data of displaced individuals throughout their displacement journey. The Sijilli EHR can be accessible globally by both refugee patients and their health providers.
The project is a partnership between AUB’s GHI – an academic institution based in a low-income country leading on the project’s operational management and implementation; Epic as a private healthcare software company based in a high-income country providing technical infrastructure; and a network of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) facilitating access to the target population in all areas across Lebanon including Beirut, South Lebanon, North Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley.
March 3, 2020 marked the celebration of the completion of the first phase of the Sijilli project whereby to date, more than 10,000 refugees are Sijilli holders. The event took place in the Halim and Aida Daniel Academic and Clinical Center (ACC) in the presence of AUB President Dr. Fadlo R. Khuri, GHI Founding Director Dr. Shadi Saleh, and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Epic Systems Judith R. Faulkner. The event was also attended by AUB leadership, faculty members from AUB and AUBMC, representatives from the Epic team, local and international NGOs, donor agencies, among others.
“Sijilli is envisioned as a much-needed model to enhance access of refugees to health services throughout their migration journey,” said Shadi Saleh. “We, at the Global Health Institute, are proud to streamline eHealth solutions in low- and middle-income countries,” he added.
President Khuri stressed on the role of the university in the humanitarian sector. “Since it was founded over a century and a half ago, it has always put humanity first, while playing its role as a provider of excellence in education and a contributor in the advancement of knowledge through research. It has been at our core.”Khuri’s point was shared by Faulkner who stated “I visited a refugee camp today and it was a memorable experience both hopeful and sad. Thank you AUB and GHI for having the heart to help people in need.”
The event also featured presentations on the technical development of the cloud-based EHR Sijilli presented by Amlan Dasgupta, Epic development lead for Sijilli, and Joe Max Wakim, the IT director of the AUBMC processes and systems department. Nour El Arnaout and Jeff Harman, the project’s coordinators at both GHI and Epic, shared their presentation on the field-based implementation of Sijilli. The role of NGOs in the implementation of Sijilli was also shared during the event by Malaak NGO’s Founder Asma Rasamny, followed by the perspective of one of Sijilli’s volunteers on the invaluable field-based experience offered by the Sijilli project that engaged more than 50 volunteers from different universities across Lebanon.
The celebration was followed by a live webinar on the global state of digital health in 2020, focusing on opportunities and challenges of implementation in low to middle-income countries, delivered by Dr. Patricia Michael, co-founder and policy lead of HealthEnabled in South Africa.–AUB

Berri tackles overall situation with Yammine, Najjar
NNA/March 09/2020 
House Speaker, Nabih Berri, received this Monday at his Ain Tineh residence Minister of Labor, Lamia Yammine, who briefed him on the Ministry’s work program.
Speaker Berri also met with Minister of Public Works and Transportation, Dr. Michel Najjar, with whom he discussed the general situation.

Rebuttal of meeting with Nasrallah
NNA/March 09/2020 
The Press Office of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri categorically denies that Premier Hariri met recently with Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as claimed by Mr Wiam Wahhab on OTV channel. The press office points out that the fabrication of such news is an intelligence services method that does not fool the Lebanese anymore, since a long time. It also accentuates that all the meetings of Premier Hariri are announced and his office issues statements about them.

Abdel Samad, Lazzarini broach media projects
NNA/March 09/2020 
Minister of Information, Dr. Manal Abdel Samad Najd, on Monday welcomed at her ministerial office UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Philippe Lazzarini.
Talks between the pair reportedly touched on the work of the international organizations in Lebanon and the important role of media at this stage. Minister Abdel Samad also briefed him on the media projects she is currently working on, soliciting the support of the UN.
On the other hand, Abdel Samad met with the Ambassador of Jordan to Lebanon, Walid Al-Hadid, with whom she discussed the bilateral relations and the general conditions. The Minister also received in her office the Ambassador of Argentina to Lebanon, Mauricio Alice, with the current economic situation featuring on their discussions, given that Argentina has gone through the same conditions.
Both sides also stressed the importance of fighting corruption.

MEA suspends flights to and from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar until further notice
NNA/March 09/2020
Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines (MEA) on Monday has announced that it will temporarily suspend flights “to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar, until further notice, as part of decisions made by several countries concerning measures to limit the spread of novel coronavirus (Covid-19).”
MEA said in a statement “With the aim of providing maximum support and comfort to passengers, the Company has decided to exempt all tickets from restrictions and fines related to ME (Middle East Airlines) tickets, which include: refund/ new booking/absence,” noting that “this exemption applies to ME (Middle East Airlines) tickets to all destinations until March 31, 2020 inclusive.”For inquiries, MEA asked passengers to contact the call center: 01 629999 or the hotline: 1330 or the airline’s travel agencies for more information.

Hitti receives medical protection equipment from France
NNA/March 09/2020 
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Dr. Nassif Hitti, received Monday at Rafic Hariri International Airport-Beirut, a set of medical protection equipment for the Rafic Hariri Hospital, provided by the French authorities to Lebanon, currently countering the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The delivery ceremony took place in the presence of the French Embassy’s Chargé d’affaires to Lebanon, Salina Grenet-Catalano, Public Health Ministry Director General Dr. Walid Ammar, Airport Security Apparatuse Commander General George Dumit, and a number of doctors on duty at the Health ministry’s Bureau at the airport and supervising the precautionary and concerned figures.
Grenet-Catalano hailed the “solid relations between Lebanon and France”, pointing otu that her country always stands by Lebanon, especially in these difficult economic and social circumstances.
She also noted that Lebanon is facing multiple obstacles and has taken encouraging and bold political decisions regarding debts.
Grenet-Catalano explained that today’s aid came following the meetings between Minister Hitti and French officials during his recent visit to France, adding that this medical aid comes in support of the Lebanese people in the face of the global health crisis.
Minister Hitti, in turn, thanked the French authorities via the Chargé d’affaires for “this essential medical and humanitarian aid at this stage”, bringing to attention that he has contacted the French authorities during his recent visit to Paris to this effect.
He also called for raising public awareness so that we can better resist and defeat this virus, hailing the historic friendship and the ongoing cooperation between Lebanon and France, “which we look forward to strengthening between the two countries and in all areas.”

Man Threatens to Blow Himself on South Highway
Naharnet/March 09/2020
Security Forces arrested a man who opened random gunfire and threatened to blow himself up on Lebanon’s South highway, the National News Agency reported on Monday. NNA said the man whose name was not identified stood on the southern highway, near Prophet Sari shrine, and threatened to blow himself. Security forces cordoned off the area, said NNA. The suspect was also spotted firing gunshots at passers by in Abou al-Aswad neighborhood, said the agency.
Police arrested him and confiscated weapons in his possession and a Volvo vehicle that belonged to him.

Lebanese Opposition Fears Govt. Move to Normalize Relations with Syrian Regime
Paula Astih/Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 9 March, 2020
The visit by Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs and Tourism, Ramzi al-Musharafieh, to Damascus last week raised fears among opposition factions that the new government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab intends to normalize relations with the Syrian regime. “It would come as no a surprise if this government plans to normalize relations with the regime in Damascus, particularly after Diab had welcomed the Syrian ambassador to Lebanon,” MP Rola Tabsh, a member of the Mustaqbal Movement of former PM Saad Hariri, told Asharq Al-Awsat. The Mustaqbal Movement, the Lebanese Forces and the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) expressed fears this week that Musharafieh’s visit could be a prelude to normalizing relations with Damascus. Tabsh said that as long as Syria’s membership at the Arab League is suspended, then the regime is illegitimate and therefore, Lebanon should not have any relations with it.
The Mustaqbal Movement supports the Syrian people, but not the regime, she stressed. A source accompanying the Lebanese delegation to Syria was surprised that some parties here were still using the term “normalizing relations with Syria,” noting that this issue would have been subject to discussions five years ago. “Today, relations between the two countries are more than normal,” the source said, adding that the government alone is responsible for political affairs. “The Lebanese delegation did not discuss political issues in Damascus. We only tackled the file of the Syrian refugees. I don’t believe there is any Lebanese force that refuses the return of refugees to their homeland,” he said. Member of the Democratic Gathering MP Bilal Abdullah told Asharq Al-Awsat that the PSP rejects the visit of the Lebanese minister to Syria. “Lebanon should not distance itself from the decisions of the Arab League,” he said. Syria’s membership at the League has been suspended since 2011 and the issue of bringing it back to the organization has been discussed several times, however, officials said none of the members have requested it.

Rai Warns Against Tampering With Lebanon’s Fate
Beirut- Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 9 March, 2020
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai warned against meddling with Lebanon’s fate. “A free economy is at the heart of the constitution, but the Church wants it with a social dimension that guarantees justice, solidarity, human dignity, and rights,” Rai said during the Sunday mass in Bkerki. “We need to build our internal unity so that all political parties join forces for the survival of the country…” The patriarch said, adding: “This requires loyalty to Lebanon above all everything else.” Rai stressed that the current priority should be focused on structural reforms based on the promises made by the previous government at the CEDRE Conference, beginning with addressing the electricity, fighting corruption, improving management, and promoting the independence of the judiciary from all political interference. He also reminded that the free financial and economic system, of which the banking sector is an essential part, “is one of the pillars of the Lebanese entity founded by the honored patriarch Elias Al-Houwayek a hundred years ago.” He underlined the government’s duty to address the causes of the financial collapse without delay and punish those manipulating with the national currency.

Beirut on the brink: Eurobonds are just the tip of the iceberg
The National/March 09/2020
Since October, the streets of Lebanon’s capital have been overwhelmed by protests against political disarray, economic crisis and – most recently – the government’s handling of coronavirus. It has become a country on the brink. In the words of its own Prime Minister, Hasan Diab, the country is “drowning in debt,” too. On Saturday, Mr Diab formally announced that Lebanon will default on a Eurobond payment of $1.2 billion worth of Eurobonds, due today.
The news marks the first time in Lebanon’s history that the once-booming seaside nation, now the third-most indebted country in the world, has failed to pay back its creditors. Yet in a country where half of all government expenditure is driven towards debt repayment, Mr Diab’s announcement has caught few by surprise. Lebanon’s economy continues to reach unprecedented levels of crisis each week, and since November, a shortage of foreign currency has devalued the Lebanese pound on the black market by more than 60 per cent. It is estimated, moreover, that poverty could rise to 50 per cent, should the country continue on its present course. Lebanon’s so-called “national rescue” government – backed by the militant party Hezbollah – has framed the failure to pay the debt as a defiant measure to save the Lebanese people.
In reality, it is the failure of responsible leadership from Hezbollah that has contributed more than anything else in backing Lebanon into the corner in which it now finds itself. Beirut has no choice but to default. But it has had made many choices that led to this point, including over-borrowing, failures to crack down on rampant corruption, acceptance of Hezbollah’s hegemony and incompetence. The latter decision is especially grievous, as Hezbollah – even when it is in power – continues to compete with the state for authority, and a reluctance to support the party any further is the primary reason for Western nations’ hesitation to provide Lebanon with any additional aid.
Meanwhile, very little effort has been put into diversifying a shrinking economy that is highly dependent on services and remittances. The default will also tarnish Lebanon’s reputation as a borrower even further. It is the failure of responsible leadership from Hezbollah that has contributed more than anything else in backing Lebanon into the corner in which it now finds itself. As the crises continue, popular anger is mounting, with people taking to the streets to express their deep dissatisfaction. The prime minister and his new government have proven themselves to be nonplussed by the mess its backers have created. While Mr Diab did promise to launch a wide-ranging programme of reforms to put Lebanon on the path to economic recovery, his Cabinet failed to include any measures to address the crisis in its annual budget or to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund – an option that Hezbollah rejects.
Lebanon needs sweeping reforms, as well as non-corrupt and competent leaders that can stand up to Hezbollah and others in order to save the country. Mr Diab has yet to prove that he and his Cabinet can fit those criteria. The prime minister himself admitted last week that the state has “lost the trust of the Lebanese people” and is “no longer capable of protecting them”. These are dispiriting words for citizens to hear from their own leaders. What they fail to capture, however, is that for as long as Lebanon’s system is held hostage by a force as damaging as Hezbollah, the state itself is under threat and incapable of moving forward.

Lebanese protesters relieved and anxious after the government’s decision to default on debt
The National/March 09/2020
The country’s future is increasingly uncertain as political parties fail to agree on next steps
Lebanese protesters expressed wary relief after the government announced on Saturday that it will default on its debt for the first time in the country’s history, arguing that it needed to “secure the basic needs for people” before paying back creditors. “This is the correct decision, because the people should come first,” said activist Mohammad Herz. Since last summer, Lebanese importers have been struggling to secure the necessary dollars to settle their debts because of a liquidity shortage.
“Default should have happened a long time ago as our system has failed,” agreed lawyer and activist Hussein El Achi. “We have been living in a fictional economy solely based on attracting non-productive foreign funds.”Since the end of its bloody 15-year long civil war in 1990, the Lebanese economy has relied on its banking sector to attract high-yield deposits from the diaspora while its industry and agriculture declined steadily. Despite multiple crises over the past decades, Lebanon was always bailed out by international donors and foreign countries.
But after consistently failing to implement reforms to increase transparency and fight corruption, few are willing to help today, and the latest economic crisis pushed hundreds of thousands of Lebanese to the street in mid-October. In a much-anticipated speech on Saturday, Prime Minister Hassan Diab halted a March 9 bond payment of $1.2 billion, setting the heavily indebted state on course for a sovereign default and heightening fear among the Lebanese of social and economic collapse.
Mr Diab said that Lebanon will enter negotiations with creditors, but protesters have little trust in their leaders, which they widely view as corrupt and reliant on distributing public money to their followers to cement their loyalty. “Will the government actually do something to help the people or will they continue stealing money? We must remain on the street and keep fighting corruption,” said Mr Herz.
Mr Diab promised to restructure Lebanon’s banking sector and protect the savings of small depositors, but protesters bemoaned the lack of visibility. “The choice to default on its debt with all its consequences was mandatory since we need the remaining currency reserves to order basic needs from gas, to wheat, to medical equipment and so on,” said protester Ali Noureddine. “However, it did not come simultaneously with an economic vision or plans for reform that the government can work with,” he added. “If political parties reform, they lose power. If they don’t, we lose the country,” summed up Mr El Achi.
Like some Lebanese economists, Mr El Achi believes that Lebanon should request a bail-out from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the international community is reluctant to help the country once again.
Last summer, then-Prime Minister Saad Hariri had expressed reservations over IMF proposals such as an increase in fuel taxes and VAT, which are expected to be extremely unpopular among the Lebanese. Already, one third of the country lives in poverty, a number which is expected to rise in the coming months. The idea of turning to the IMF still faces stiff resistance from several political parties, including Lebanon’s influential, Iran-backed Hezbollah, which described the institution as a US tool.
“We are in an impossible situation,” lamented Mr El Achi, warning that Lebanon could end up resembling Venezuela, which has witnessed hyperinflation and severe shortages of consumer goods and medicine.
“The Lebanese will eventually have to pay for the mistakes of the political class. We will suffer.”

The Impossibility of Perceiving the Lebanese Revolution as though Hezbollah Does not Exist
Hazem Saghieh/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 09/2020
A third wave of the Lebanese revolution. With that, the essential problem remains the same: a large religious sect, through force and coercion, is excluded from participating in it. The sit-ins that took place in Beirut’s southern suburbs have been described as timid and weak; this, despite the fact that the socio-economic situation of its residents calls for bold and strong sit-ins.
This has many consequences with regard to the ability to constantly stifle the social and the class dimension of the revolt. Even a decision like the most recent one regarding banks, whatever one thinks of it, could not present itself as an economic decision. It was recycled politically, which, in the Lebanese sense means sectarianly. The decision was then quickly annulled.
Time after time, then, it seems impossible to contemplate the Lebanese revolution as though Hezbollah is a contingent detail, or as though it does not exist. When it succeeds at putting one of the county’s larger sects outside the revolution, it succeeds at thwarting the revolution’s plan, creating a cross-sectarian bloc as an alternative to the powers that be or, in the meantime, as a strong and critical faction from within the government.
For with October 17, a process of rough-hewing the sects’ edges and identifying with the nation from outside the sectarian narrative began. The revolution did not propose “abolishing” sectarianism, which no rational person would think of doing, neither did it suggest the abolition of the particularities of sectarian groups, because such a declaration would be tantamount to adopting an authoritarian and despotic strategy. Its demands are far less radical and far more modest.
It was clear, with the eruption of the revolution, that sectarianism and its system were in a crisis of their economy, political services, management of the political process and its representation. This is what facilitated the explosion on October 17. Nevertheless, Hezbollah, as a sectarian (and religious) faction, was not in crisis, and it went on bragging about rockets, fighting in Idlib, and threatening enemies and foes. The economy of the party depends on Iran and is thus affected little by what happens to the Lebanese economy. Hassan Nassrallah has been clear about this since the early days of the revolution.
More importantly, it is the only party within Lebanon’s ruling configuration that is armed. If the army were unable, for an internal or external reason, to repress, the party would proceed to do the job. It is a party fighting wars on two fronts, so it cannot avoid thinking of an internal political and economic situation that suit its wars, or at least, adapts to them. On the other hand, it is futile to bet on division within the party based on social issues or a clash over class representation. Potential talk of such a scenario are forbidden, and they cost blood.
Thus, it is possible to speak of two sectarianisms in Lebanon. One is soft and has been softened by its defeats, making it open to compromise and even submission and susceptible to the defection of some of its elements. The other is rough and armed; it boasts of its victories, or what it perceives to be victories, and sees that Lebanon cannot accommodate two revolutions.
Only it is the revolution. This has been evident since 2015, that daring to denounce the figures of soft sectarianism, including Aounist figures, is possible, while it is forbidden to dare to similarly denounce the figures of rough sectarianism. Consequently, the revolutionary promise to create the new cross-sectarian bloc could not be kept, and a long historic project is now entrusted with keeping it. But what are the details of this project, given that the passage of time is not neutral and does not mean much in itself?
It is, in addition to raising a more refined awareness of the unitary nature of the Lebanese’s interests and continuing to agitate against their impoverishment and against the banks, waiting for Hezbollah to weaken and pushing, within the boundaries available to us, towards this solemn end.
The issue is not one of “blind hatred” for the party. The issue stems from its position as the last protector of the governance of thieves (kleptocracy) as a result of the degree of success of its adaptation to kleptocracy. It is true that the American sanctions led to some tension between them, but one nighttime bomb on a closed bank was enough to restore most of the mutual trust. After that, things were subsequently restored, though with a little bit of tension, which is part of any relationship between any two allies.
Let us note, for example, that the party is preventing the economic anesthesia that is traditionally begged for Lebanon from countries in its region and in the world. Could one who does not tolerate anesthesia tolerate more radical remedies? Thus, the desperate Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, is left to announce “the state’s inability to protect its citizens”.
Indeed, waiting for the party’s weakening and the push in this direction brings in another factor that, given the Lebanese situation, does not receive much attention: the balance of power outside Lebanon. In light of Iran’s strength (and that of the regime of Bashar al-Assad), it is impossible for a revolution in Lebanon to succeed; rather it is impossible even for major achievements to be made against the rule of thieves. Sporadic riots and thoughtless violence may appear in response to impoverishment policies. Courageous voices may provide us with new evidence of the regime’s scandals, and despite its improbability, the ruling elite may offer some of the banks crumbs of what they had stolen. But this is one thing and change is another. The case of Iraq may not differ much.
Here, a brief revision of what happened in Central and Eastern Europe could be useful: in 1953 former East Germany rose up. In 1956 Hungary rose up. In 1968 the former Czechoslovakia rose up. In 1980-81 Poland rose up. But all those revolutions were defeated, and those countries did not change until the Soviet Union itself collapsed later that decade.