LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
March 03/2020
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
The Bulletin's Link on the lccc Site
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Bible Quotations For today
Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you
will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get
Matthew 07/01-12.: “‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.
For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give
will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye,
but do not notice the log in your own eye?Or how can you say to your neighbour,
“Let me take the speck out of your eye”, while the log is in your own eye? You
hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly
to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye. ‘Do not give what is holy to
dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under
foot and turn and maul you. ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you
will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks
receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door
will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread,
will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you
then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more
will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! ‘In everything
do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the
prophets.”
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese
Related News & Editorials published on March 02-03/2020
Lebanon’s Iranian Cancerous
Occupation and The Required Solutions/Elias Bejjani/March 03/2020
Number of coronavirus cases in Lebanon rises to 13
Health Ministry: Three new Coronavirus cases
Lebanon Bars Entry of Syrian Bus over Coronavirus as Iranian Plane Arrives
Hassan: Coronavirus Not Pandemic in Lebanon
Lebanon’s Advisers Hold Talks with Bondholders
Diab Says Eurobond Decision by Weekend, Salameh Reassures on Gold
Diab’s Press Office rebuffs ‘false news and defamation’, affirms rule of law
will prevail
Diab tackles developments with Grand Serail interlocutors
Honorary Consular Corps visits Diab, expresses faith in his cabinet
Lebanon PM: State is “weak” but “decisive” decisions coming
Diab Says State ‘Weak,’ But ‘Decisive’ Decisions Will Be Taken
Hearing Begins for Bank Officials on Capital Flight
Financial Prosecutor Grills Lebanese Bankers over Capital Flight
Israel Installs ‘Device’ at al-Abbad Border Post
Rai: Lebanese Govt Needs to Take Bold Political Decision, Implement Reforms
Lebanese Political Movement to Lift Iranian Tutelage Over Lebanon
Hezbollah Hinders Roadmap on Lebanon’s Economy Recovery
Minister of Social Affairs tackles refugee affairs with Syrian officials
Bus at al-Qaa border crossing not allowed to enter Lebanon over suspected
coronavirus case
Defense Minister, Army Chief visit Military Academy
UfM launches new regional mechanism to monitor gender equality in the
Mediterranean
Japanese Deputy Justice Minister in Lebanon over Ghosn Case
Japanese Official in Lebanon, Seeks Return of Fugitive Ghosn
Nissan Case over Ghosn's Beirut Home to End This Month
Hezbollah Has a New Strategy to Survive Lebanon’s Financial/risisHanin Ghaddar/The
Washington Institute/March 02/2020
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on
March 02-03/2020
Syria Regime Forces Re-enter Saraqeb
US President Trump recognizes Greece’s right to enforce border laws: Greek PM
Syrian refugee died after trying to cross the Turkey-Greece border: Sources
EU top officials to visit Greece’s border with Turkey over migrant crisis
One Turkish customs agent killed in rocket attack near Iranian border
Iraq’s Adil Abdul Mahdi says will walk away from caretaker PM role
UN Report: Russia, Turkey May Have Carried out War Crimes in Syria
Turkish Raids Kill Iranian Militia Members in Syria
EU Calls For Urgent Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to Discuss Developments in Syria
Syrian Regime Increases Gasoline Prices, Rations Internet Usage
Israel votes for third time in a year
Israel Admits Was Behind Assassination of Son of Islamic Jihad Official
Erekat: PA Under Toxic US Campaign
Hamas Sends Delegations to Cairo, Moscow
Ashmawy among 37 Sentenced to Death in Egypt on Terror Charges
Borrell Stresses EU’s Commitment to Support Democratic Transition in Sudan
Tripoli Ceasefire on Verge of Collapse as Fighting Intensifies
United Nations special envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame resigns
Putin Proposes to Enshrine God, Heterosexual Marriage in Constitution
Titles For The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources published on March 02-03/2020
Education Reform: What Kind of Arab World Do
We Aspire for/Marwan Muasher/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 02/2020
Syria and Messages Soaked in Blood/Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 02/2020
Working Together to Develop a Coronavirus Vaccine/Richard Hatchett/Asharq Al-Awsat/March
02/2020
Why Are Palestinians Dying in Hamas Prisons/Bassam Tawil/Gatestone
Institute/March 0/2020
China Cracks Down on Religion Even Harder/Judith Bergman/Gatestone
Institute/March 0/2020
Is Turkey creating another European migrant crisis/Simon Waldman/The
National/March 02/2020
The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News &
Editorials published on March 02-03/2020
Lebanon’s Iranian Cancerous Occupation and
The Required Solutions
سرطان الإحتلال الإيراني للبنان والحلول الدولية المطلوبة
Elias Bejjani/March 03/2020
Lebanon’s current problem is the cancerous Hezbollah’s Iranian Occupation that
is systematic, and since 1982 has been covertly and overtly devouring Lebanon
and everything that is Lebanese in all domains and on all levels.
The Solution is through the UN declaring Lebanon a rogue-failed country and the
strict implementation of the three UN Resolutions addressing Lebanon’s
ongoing dilemma of occupation:
The Armistice agreement
The 1559 UN Resolution
The 1701UN Resolution.
All other approaches, no matter what, will only serve the occupying Mullah’s
vicious scheme of destroying Lebanon and strengthening its ironic, terrorist
grip on the Lebanese.
All Pro-Lebanon’s Freedom demonstrations in any country in the Diaspora that are
carried on by the Lebanese MUST call for this only International solution.
Meanwhile, yes, Lebanon and the Lebanese are facing very serious crises,
hardships and problems in all life sectors; e.g., poverty, unemployment,
corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, politicization of the judiciary,
electricity shortage, a scandalous disarray in trash collection, lack of health
benefits, education, and numerous social services … and the list goes on and on.
BUT, non of these hardships in any way or at any time will be solved as long as
the terrorist Iranian Hezbollah remains occupying the country and terrorizing
its people. At the same time, the majority of Lebanese officials, politicians
and political parties are actually the enemies of both Lebanon and its citizens.
In this context, President Michael Aoun, His son-in-law, the FM, Jobran Bassil,
Amin Gymael and his son Sami, PM, Saad Hariri, Druze leader Walid Jumblat, House
Speaker Nabih Berri, Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea, Slieman Frangea
and many other politicians, as well as numerous topnotch clergymen from all
denominations are all cut from the same garment of oligarchic, narcissism,
trojanism, greed, and feudalism in their mentality and education.
They all, with no sense of patriotism, have succumbed to the Hezbollah’s Iranian
savage occupation.
They all and each from his status and based on his capacity and influence, have
traded Lebanon’s independence, freedom, decision making process and sovereignty
with mere personal power and financial gains.
In reality, they have sold their country to the occupier, Hezbollah, and with no
shame have accepted the status of Dhimmitudes, puppets, tools, trumpets, cymbals
and mouthpieces for the terrorist occupier. They betrayed, and still betraying,
the country and their own people.
In this realm, the Lebanese demonstrators who are loudly shouting the Slogan,
“All of them” are 100% right and are righteously witnessing for the truth
because all of the above political and official prominent figures are
practically mere merchants with numbed consciences.
All Of Them definitely means all of them.
It is worth mentioning that the Lebanese constitution is ideal for the nature of
the multi-cultural and multi-religious denominational composition of the mosaic
of diversified Lebanese society.
The governing disasters that have been targeting and hitting Lebanon since the
early seventies has nothing to do with the great and ideal covenantal (unwritten
pact) constitution, but with the foreign occupations and the oligarchic Lebanese
corrupted officials and politicians.
My fellow patriotic and God fearing Lebanese from all religious denominations
and all walks of life in both Lebanon and the Diaspora, stand tall and steadfast
like our cedars. Do not lose faith or give up on hope, and never ever forget
that our beloved, country, Lebanon is holy.
Yes, Lebanon is holy and has been blessed by Almighty God since he created man
and woman and put them on earth.
Pray for our oppressed and occupied country and that Almighty God shall always
guard, protect and defend it through His saints and angels.
Number of coronavirus cases in Lebanon rises
to 13
Perla Kantarjian/Annahar/March 02/2020
The new cases are people who were in contact with the previously reported cases,
and are currently placed under quarantine at the RHUH and have a stable health
condition.
BEIRUT: On Monday, the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced three new confirmed
coronavirus cases in Lebanon, increasing the number of COVID-19 patients at the
Rafic Hariri University Hospital to a total of 13. The
Ministry of Health said that the new cases are people who were in contact with
the previously reported cases, are currently placed under quarantine at the RHUH
and have a stable health condition.Additionally, the Minister of Public Health
Hamad Hassan, maintained on Monday that the coronavirus is not a “pandemic” in
Lebanon, adding also that work to restrict flights from countries dealing with
the outbreak had commenced, allowing only the return of Lebanese citizens and
foreigners holding valid residency in the Lebanese grounds. The Ministry of
Health urges all people arriving from countries with coronavirus outbreak to
completely adhere to home quarantine and in the case of any symptoms showing, to
call the following number: +961 76 592699.
Health Ministry: Three new Coronavirus cases
NNA/March 02/2020
The Ministry of Public Health announced, in a statement on Monday, that three
new laboratory-confirmed cases infected with the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
have been registered, who were previously in contact with an infected person and
were present in domestic isolation, thus, raising the total number of infected
cases to thirteen. In the context of combating the epidemic, the Health Ministry
called on all expatriates coming from countries experiencing a local spread of
the virus, "to strictly adhere to domestic isolation measures, and when any
symptoms appear, to immediately contact the number 76/592699.
Lebanon Bars Entry of Syrian Bus over Coronavirus as
Iranian Plane Arrives
Naharnet/March 02/2020
Lebanon on Monday barred a Syrian bus from entering the country after suspecting
that a girl on it is infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus, as an Iranian plane
carrying 178 passengers landed at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport.
“After the medical team at the al-Qaa border crossing suspected that an infected
girl was on the bus which was carrying 30 passengers, the decision was taken to
return the bus to Syria,” the National News Agency said. “Afterwards, al-Qaa
Municipality disinfected the border crossing and will carry out a similar
campaign at public places, schools, churches, buses and refugee camps, while
checkpoints for disinfecting entering cars will be set up on the town’s
entrances, especially as to vendors and the distributors of foodstuffs and
essential goods,” NNA added. Later in the day, an Iranian plane coming from the
city of Mashhad landed at Beirut’s airport. “A Health Ministry medical team took
the necessary public health and preventative measures regarding the passengers.
Forms were also filled in and no disease symptoms were recorded among them,” NNA
said.
Hassan: Coronavirus Not Pandemic in Lebanon
Naharnet/March 02/2020
Health Minister Hamad Hassan on Monday said the novel coronavirus
is “not a pandemic” in Lebanon assuring that cancellation of a flight that was
scheduled to land in Beirut was a “proof that the cabinet decision to suspend
flights from infected countries came into effect.”
“The decision to halt flights from infected countries came into effect. The
cancellation of a trip scheduled today from Tehran to Beirut is proof,” said
Hassan in remarks to VDL (100.5). Flight IR 661 from
Tehran was scheduled to arrive at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport at
nine in the morning. It was set to transport Lebanese students and visitors
returning to Lebanon. The Minister emphasized the need
to abide by the Ministry’s guidance instructions to prevent the spread of the
virus. Noting that family awareness regarding self-quarantine in case of doubt,
is the highest preventive level. Hassan said that Lebanon has recorded ten cases
of coronavirus so far in individuals travelling into Lebanon, “linked to abroad”
he said. “None of the cases was transmitted internally.”
The majority of those infected in Lebanon had visited Iran in recent
weeks. Hassan said it was “reassuring “ to know that the “virus is not a
pandemic.”He said he had begun work to reduce flights from Iran and Italy by
allowing only Lebanese citizens to return to their homeland and to foreigners
holding valid legal residency.
Lebanon’s Advisers Hold Talks with
Bondholders
Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
Lebanon's financial and legal advisers are in talks with holders of its
dollar-denominated debt on a restructuring but have not reached a deal, a source
close to the government said on Monday. "They are
working day and night" to reach an agreement on an orderly restructuring, the
source told Reuters, saying that Lebanon's decision on a March 9 maturity
Eurobond must be announced by Saturday. Lebanon also
has Eurobonds maturing in April and June. The country is widely expected to
restructure the sovereign bonds after a long-brewing economic crisis, which came
to a head last year as capital inflows slowed and protests erupted against
Lebanon's ruling elite over corruption and bad governance. Beirut last week
appointed investment bank Lazard and law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
as its financial and legal advisers on the widely expected debt restructuring.
Banks are imposing tight restrictions on access to deposits and transfers
abroad, while the Lebanese pound has weakened by nearly 40 percent from its
officially pegged rate. Emerging markets investment
manager Ashmore Group has attracted attention in Lebanon for accumulating more
than 25 percent of the $2.5 billion of sovereign debt maturing in 2020,
including $1.2 billion maturing on March 9, according to sources citing
Bloomberg News data up to the end of 2019.
Diab Says Eurobond Decision by Weekend, Salameh Reassures
on Gold
Naharnet/March 02/2020
Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced Monday that Lebanon’s final decision on
whether or not to pay a $1.2 billion Eurobond debt that matures on March 9 will
be taken Friday or Saturday. “The decision will
preserve the rights of small and medium depositors as well as Lebanon’s
interest,” Diab added after a high-level financial meeting at the Grand Serail.
Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh meanwhile stressed that “using the gold
reserve is out of the question.” “I have no say in the
Eurobond issue and the decision is to be taken by the government,” he added. In
addition to Diab and Salameh, the Grand Serail meeting was attended by the
ministers of finance, industry, economy and public works and the head of the
banks association. Lebanon is currently facing its
worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war. The value of the Lebanese
pound has plummeted on the black market, prices have risen, and many businesses
have been forced to slash salaries, dismiss staff or close.
Lebanon is one of the most indebted countries in the world, with a public
debt equivalent to 150 percent of its GDP. The country is now under pressure to
pay a $1.2 billion Eurobond maturity on March 9.
Economists warn payment on time would eat away at plummeting foreign currency
reserves, while bankers say a default would damage Lebanon's reputation with
lenders. Bank of America Merill Lynch in a November report estimated that around
50 percent of Eurobonds were held by local banks, while the central bank had
around 11 percent. Foreign investors owned the
remainder, or around 39 percent, it said. But these
figures may have changed, with local media reporting that local banks have
recently sold a chunk of their Eurobonds to foreign lenders.
Diab’s Press Office rebuffs ‘false news and defamation’,
affirms rule of law will prevail
NNA/March 02/2020
The following is a statement issued on Monday by Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s
Press Office: “Once again, the same orchestra is spreading false news and hiding
the truth for defamation and incitement purposes. Unfortunately, some are being
affected, willingly or out of ignorance, and are therefore expressing themselves
out of bad faith and conspiracy, or by unfoundedly repeating what they hear
without checking the facts. Prime Minister Hassan Diab spoke openly and frankly
about how people perceive the State. However, he also stressed that he will,
together with the Cabinet, hold the ball of fire, and highlighted his
determination to resolve all chronic issues in order to move on to the concept
of State. The said orchestra seems to be bothered by the concept of State and
wants to destroy what is left of the State’s pillars to protect itself. But the
rule of law will certainly prevail and citizens will stop paying the
price.”—Grand Serail Press Office
Diab tackles developments with Grand Serail interlocutors
NNA/March 02/2020
Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Monday met at the Grand Serail with Minister of
Displaced, Ghada Shreim, with a delegation from the Central Fund of the
Displaced. The meeting was followed by a press conference held by Shreim. The
Minister announced her plan to proceed with the payments for the enlisted and
affected persons, stating that this is the first step within the framework she
has established, aiming at shutting the Ministry and the Fund on the long term.
She pledged that her team will work objectively, away from any political
influence, and stated that both Ministry and Fund websites detail the required
documents and timelines for the affected persons. Prime Minister Hassan Diab
also met today with the Minister of Labor, Lamia Yammine. Discussions featured
high on the status of the NSSF, and on the upcoming projects of the Ministry. PM
Diab later met with the National Audiovisual Council delegation, headed by Abdul
Hadi Mahfouz, in presence of the Minister of Information, Manal Abdel Samad.
Diab relayed to his visitors the importance of the decision that will be taken
by the end of this week, while sparing the rights of the small and medium
depositors and protecting Lebanon’s interests. Talks also touched on the
situation of the media outlets and agencies in Lebanon.—Grand Serail Press
Office
Honorary Consular Corps visits Diab, expresses faith in his cabinet
NNA/March 02/2020
Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Monday met with a delegation of the Honorary
Consular Corps in Lebanon, headed by Dean Joseph Habis. During his speech, Habis
said that the Honorary Consular Corps has faith in Diab’s Cabinet. “We come here
today with hopes, and agree with the Lebanese people that the time for change
has come, and turning back is no longer an option.”Habis highlighted the need to
fight corruption, stating that is has become a “comprehensive national goal”.
For his part, PM Diab said that the government is now holding a “ball of fire”,
noting that the upcoming days will witness an important decision, a turning
point which will shape Lebanon’s future.
PM Diab’s full speech:
“Welcome to all of you in the Government’s Headquarters, the beacon of a state
that we have always wished to see serving the Lebanese people, planning for the
future of their country, managing the state and people’s affairs according to
avenues that keep pace with the social and cultural developments. Unfortunately,
the state of today is so crumbling and vulnerable, not to say helpless, and the
country is going through very tough times. The Lebanese people are anxious for
their present and future. Fear is spreading across financial and economic
sectors, reaching the social life and the living conditions, in addition to
imminent health concerns. To put it frankly, the state, in view of its current
situation, is no more capable of protecting the Lebanese people and ensuring a
decent life for them. To be transparent, I would say that this state has lost
Lebanese people’s confidence. From a realistic perspective, the relations
between the State and the people have deteriorated so dramatically that they hit
bottom. Today we are facing huge dilemmas whereas the mechanisms of the State
are still staggering under archaic sectarian constraints, rampant corruption,
the weight of various sectarian interests, the prevailing imbalance in the
administration and the lack of vision within the institutions. This government
took office while already aware of the burden it will have to carry and of the
complexity of its mission. However, we are determined to dismantle all those
complexities and to bring Lebanon to the level of a state, while tackling
endemic problems.
This government has made the choice to hold the ball of fire between its hands
and will endeavor to defuse it so as not to burn what little is left. We have no
choice but to take the path of the Calvary, whatever the sufferings, because
other options are much more dangerous.
In the coming days, the government will adopt a crucial decision that is very
sensitive and critical. It is still under scrutiny, as it represents a major
milestone in shaping the future of Lebanon.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is true that you represent many countries in Lebanon, but first and foremost
you are Lebanese, and this assures us of the fact that you will participate in
this work of salvation, each one from his/ her own position, be it consular,
economic or personal. We are all responsible for building a better future for
the next generations. I call upon you to roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Indeed, Lebanon will need every single effort and contribution during the coming
period. It will need every bit of effort exerted. History will in fact mention
all those who have worked to eradicate corruption while building bridges of
trust and restoring hope to the Lebanese people through their participation in
this work of salvation. This is a field of honor… and we welcome all those who
would enter it with the determination to do their utmost.”—Grand Serail Press
Office
Lebanon PM: State is “weak” but “decisive” decisions coming
The Arab Weekly/Monday 02/03/2020
A hefty Eurobond repayment comes due on March 9, with few analysts believing
that Beirut will be able to pay
LONDON – Prime Minister Hassan Diab warned that Lebanon is passing through a
very difficult phase, attempting to reassure Lebanese that his government would
take “decisive” action to overcome the various crises the country is facing on
different fronts.
“The State is weak and the country is passing through a very difficult stage.
The Lebanese fear for their present and for their future. Their fear grows over
their financial, economic, social and living situation in addition to health
concerns (over coronavirus),” Diab was quoted as saying on Monday during a
meeting with the diplomatic corp. Lebanon is facing its worst economic crisis in
decades with a major debt restructuring expected soon – Lebanon’s current
international debts stand at 160% of GDP. A hefty Eurobond repayment comes due
on March 9, with few analysts believing that Beirut will be able to pay without
major debt restructuring. The economic crisis comes at a difficult time for
Lebanon domestically, with ongoing protests against corruption and rising fears
over the spread of the coronavirus. As of Monday,
Lebanon had a total of ten coronavirus cases, mostly from people travelling from
neighbouring Iran – one of the current hotspots of the crisis. Lebanese
authorities took the decision to close all educational institutions and
nurseries until March 9 and have impose travel restrictions on countries
affected by the coronavirus – notably China, Iran, Italy and South Korea.
Despite this, many observers have criticized Diab’s government for its apparent
inability to get on top of the crises facing the country. Unlike previous
government, Prime Minister Diab’s cabinet – formed on January 22 – is not a
so-called “national unity” cabinet, bringing together diverse political parties
across the Lebanese spectrum. Critics have described Diab’s cabinet as a
“one-colour” government under the control of the Iran-backed Amal and Hezbollah
parties, and the Aounist Free Patriotic Movement, excluding western-backed
parties like the Future Movement. “The State is no longer able to protect the
Lebanese… We are facing immense difficulties, and the State’s mechanisms are
constrained with sectarianism and the government’s burden is really heavy and
complicated," Diab said. “[But] we are determined to unravel the difficulties
and move to the notion of a genuine State and address the crises,” he added.
Diab Says State ‘Weak,’ But ‘Decisive’ Decisions Will Be
Taken
Naharnet/March 02/2020
Prime Minister Hassan Diab said on Monday that Lebanon is passing through a very
difficult phase and that the government is going to take “decisive” decisions to
overcome the crisis. “The State is weak and the country is passing through a
very difficult stage. The Lebanese fear for their present and for their future.
Their fear grows over their financial, economic, social and living situation in
addition to health concerns (over coronavirus),” said Diab during a meeting with
the diplomatic corps. “The State is no longer able to protect the Lebanese,” he
added. “We are facing immense difficulties, and the State’s mechanisms are
constrained with sectarianism and the government’s burden is really heavy and
complicated," he added. But he stressed "we are
determined to unravel the difficulties and move to the notion of a genuine State
and address the crises.”
Hearing Begins for Bank Officials on Capital Flight
Naharnet/March 02/2020
Financial Prosecutor Judge Ali Ibrahim began a hearing on “suspicious” amounts
of money transferred abroad after the October 17 uprising, the National News
Agency reported on Monday. NNA said the Judge will begin hearing arguments from
several bank owners and chairmen related to funds transferred to swiss banks,
and the sale of Eurobonds by local banks to foreign investors including Ashmore
Group Plc. In consecutive hearing sessions, judge Ibrahim and seven other judges
of the financial public prosecution will hear the arguments of head of the
Association of Banks in Lebanon Salim Sfeir, and arguments of the chairman of
fourteen of Lebanon’s banks, said the agency.
Financial Prosecutor Grills Lebanese Bankers over Capital
Flight
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/March 02/2020
Financial Prosecutor Ali Ibrahim on Monday grilled bankers over more than 2
billion dollars in capital flight in past months despite strict banking
restrictions in the crisis-hit country, judicial sources said.
Banks have since September imposed increasingly tight limits on dollar
withdrawals and transfers abroad as part of measures to tackle a severe
liquidity crisis. But bankers stand accused of having sent millions of dollars
abroad despite those limitations since mass anti-government protests erupted on
October 17. Lebanese banking association head Salim Sfeir, as well as
representatives from 14 banks, appeared before Financial Prosecutor Ibrahim, the
sources said. They testified "over the transfer abroad of 2.3 billion dollars
during the two months since the start of the popular uprising," they said.
They were questioned over "the causes of the transfers abroad of the
money of bank owners, which reduced liquidity in the internal financial
markets". They were also asked why other depositors were unable to make
transfers abroad for trade or to pay tuition fees. Bankers were asked to justify
"the inability of depositors to withdraw from their U.S. dollar accounts...
while that restriction did not apply to the powerful."
Lebanon is currently facing its worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil
war. The value of the Lebanese pound has plummeted on the black market, prices
have risen, and many businesses have been forced to slash salaries, dismiss
staff or close. Lebanon is one of the most indebted countries in the world, with
a public debt equivalent to 150 percent of its GDP. The country is now under
pressure to pay a $1.2 billion Eurobond maturity on March 9.
Economists warn payment on time would eat away at plummeting foreign
currency reserves, while bankers say a default would damage Lebanon's reputation
with lenders. Bank of America Merill Lynch in a November report estimated that
around 50 percent of Eurobonds were held by local banks, while the central bank
had around 11 percent. Foreign investors owned the remainder, or around 39
percent, it said. But these figures may have changed, with local media reporting
that local banks have recently sold a chunk of their Eurobonds to foreign
lenders. The judicial sources said those summoned on Monday were also asked
about those sales, but they did not provide further details on their answers.
Representatives of other banks are to be called in later this week.
Israel Installs ‘Device’ at al-Abbad Border Post
Naharnet/March 02/2020
The Israeli army installed a “device” reportedly a surveillance camera at the
al-Abbad border post opposite the Southern Lebanese village of Hawla, the
National News Agency reported on Monday. The device
was directed towards the Lebanese territories, said NNA.
A surveillance airplane hovered over the area while Israeli troops
installed the device, added the agency.
Rai: Lebanese Govt Needs to Take Bold Political Decision,
Implement Reforms
Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai affirmed that the country's current
situation requires a bold political decision to make necessary reforms. During
Sunday’s mass, Rai said that all eyes are on the government to rescue Lebanon
from the crises. Everyone is anticipating that it initiates the required reforms
in all sectors, especially that several solutions already exist and only need
action. The Lebanese people are expecting administrative recruitment based on
qualifications and not on quotas, he stressed. While Rai hailed the exploration
of gas and oil in the country, he urged the government to hasten the
establishment of stations to generate electrical energy and put an end to
temporary solutions. The government should also look
into the people’s issue with the banks, as they have become beggars at their
doors and at food stores that have raised goods' prices mercilessly. Rai
highlighted the spread of the new coronavirus jeopardizing citizens’ safety and
which requires more serious procedures. He concluded wishing the Lebanese people
protection from illness and destitution and the government salvation from the
economic and financial crisis.
Lebanese Political Movement to Lift Iranian Tutelage Over Lebanon
Beirut- Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
A number of Lebanese politicians and activists launched on Sunday a national
initiative to free the country of Iran's tutelage and save it from the current
economic, political, and financial crisis. During the
launch of the initiative, Former MP Fares Souaid called on Lebanon to respect
the Taef Agreement and the Constitution as a reference to rescue the country
from any foreign tutelage and to save civil peace. “Lebanon is a final homeland
for all its sons and it has an Arab identity and affiliation,” he said. Souaid
said that the prolonged disability of the political forces to solve the current
crisis in Lebanon calls for a change in the ruling class, starting with early
parliamentary elections based on a new electoral law that respects the Taef and
the Constitution. “The prolonged crisis is mainly due to the Iranian and Syrian
tutelage, imposed on Lebanon since 1990. This tutelage has paralyzed the
creation of a state and it isolated Lebanon from the Arab and international
world,” the deputy said. Soueid said that the International Support Group,
during its meeting last December, called on the new government of Prime Minister
Hassan Diab to swiftly and resolutely take a timely, tangible, credible, and
comprehensive set of measures and reforms to stop and reverse the deepening
crises, to address the needs and demands of the Lebanese people by respecting
the Taef Accord and the Baabda Declaration and its commitments made at the
Brussels, Paris, and Rome conferences. Souaid, who is also the coordinator of
the March 14 General Secretariat, accuses Hezbollah of serving Iranian
directions. Last October, he told Asharq Al-Awsat that Tehran wants to draw the
attention of the US and the world by creating tensions and destabilizing the
Arab world.
Hezbollah Hinders Roadmap on Lebanon’s Economy Recovery
Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
Hezbollah hindered on Sunday a roadmap to resolve Lebanon's economic crisis
after the party’s deputy Hassan Fadlallah expressed his rejection to fall under
the “tutelage of the International Monetary Fund.”
The MP said that new measures should be announced in the coming two weeks,
concerning the accounts of depositors in Lebanese banks. “There is a maturity
(for Eurobonds) linked to the debt. We informed the concerned parties that the
priority should be given to the money of depositors. This money should not be
used in a wrong manner,” he said during a Hezbollah ceremony in southern
Lebanon. The Hezbollah deputy denied that there’s no hope in resolving Lebanon's
economic and monetary crisis. He blamed some parties for allegedly wanting to
hand over the country to international forces. “We have welcomed the
consultations with the Fund but we reject to put Lebanon under its tutelage,”
Fadlallah said. He explained that Lebanon cannot implement the recommendations
of the IMF, which include reducing in half the size of the public sector, or in
other words, fire half of the employees, in addition to the privatization of
state institutions and raising taxes, a step that affects the poor. “There are
practical local solutions and proposals that we have made to solve the crisis,
including asking banks to bear parts of the burden,” he said, adding that the
Association of Banks rejected the proposal because it wants to protect the
profits it has made in the past years. “We hope that the Lebanese government
implements a rescue reform plan to solve the current economic crisis and that
the judiciary acts effectively to recover funds that have been transferred
abroad,” he said. In December, the Lebanese judiciary launched an investigation
following reports that Lebanese politicians had transferred billions of dollars
abroad in 2019, despite tight restrictions on withdrawals.
Minister of Social Affairs tackles refugee affairs with
Syrian officials
NNA/March 02/2020
Minister of Social Affairs and Tourism, Professor Ramzi Moucharafieh, on Monday
met during a visit to Syria Ministers of Local Administration and Environment,
Eng. Hussein Makhlouf, Social Affairs and Labor, Rima Al-Qadri, and Tourism,
Engineer Mohammad Rami Martini. Moucharafieh reviewed during his meeting with
Makhlouf, who is in charge of the refugee dossier, and Minister Qadri, who is
tasked to follow up on its social aspect, the means to set up a social safety
net that contributes to a safe and secure return of Syrian refugees through
cooperation between Lebanon and Syria, and in coordination with the concerned
international organizations -- in implementation of the ministerial statement's
refugee plan. The meeting also stressed the need to activate coordination for
the benefit of the both countries. Meanwhile, Makhlouf and Al-Qadri confirmed
the Syrian state's keenness on exerting all the possible efforts to secure a
safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. Moucharafieh also broached
with Martini the status of the tourism sector and the possibility of activating
it in a way that reflects positively on the two countries.
Bus at al-Qaa border crossing not allowed to enter Lebanon
over suspected coronavirus case
NNA/March 02/2020
The medical team at Al Qaa border crossing has not allowed a bus carrying 30
passengers to enter Lebanon, coming from Syria, after suspecting a coronavirus
case on board, NNA reporter said on Monday.
At once, Al-Qaa Municipality carried out a sterilization campaign in said
crossing point, planning to carry out a similar campaign in public places,
schools, churches, transport buses and displaced camps in said town.
Defense Minister, Army Chief visit Military Academy
NNA/March 02/2020
Vice Prime Minister, National Defense Minister Zeina Akar Adra, and Army
Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Monday visited the Military Academy, where
they met with first-year student officers in the presence of Academy Commander.
After touring the different departments and the dormitory section of the
newly-enrolled students, especially females, Minister Akar addressed
officers-to-be: "Your enrollment is extremely important because you ensure the
continuity of the soldier's mission and you preserve Lebanon with all its
components." The Minister also called on student officers to stay away from
politics and it polarizations, devoting absolute loyalty to the nation. In turn,
Maj. Gen. Aoun considered that the criterion of success in the Military Academy
is competence, competition and enrollment exams' qualification.
UfM launches new regional mechanism to monitor gender
equality in the Mediterranean
NNA/March 02/2020
The Union for the Mediterranean embraces the celebration of the International
Women's Day with the implementation of projects and initiatives in the framework
of its regional agenda for women's empowerment.In a year that marks the 25th
Anniversary of the Barcelona Process, which laid the foundations for the
creation of the UfM, its Member States are determined to monitor and assess the
progress made in advancing gender equality in the region and update their
related strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In line
with the 2017 UfM Ministerial Declaration on strengthening the role of women in
society, and following a 3-year regional process involving governments and
gender experts, the UfM will adopt this month a regional intergovernmental
follow-up mechanism on gender balance. This entails concrete indicators that
will allow to monitor the progress made on women's rights and to work
collectively to accelerate women's full participation in the region. UfM Deputy
Secretary General on Civil and Social affairs, Marisa Farrugia, stressed: "This
follow-up mechanism offers an effective means to monitor and benchmark progress.
It is designed to create regional awareness on the challenges that gender gaps
pose as well as the opportunities that emerge when action is taken to reduce
them. Building inclusive societies, based on equality, in all of its dimensions,
is a key component for economic growth and social well-being."Following the
recent signature of a cooperation agreement with the Norwegian Government, this
year will also see the further implementation of regional projects aiming at
fostering women's economic participation, in particular developing their skills
and facilitating their access to the labour market and to entrepreneurship. The
UfM-labelled projects that will benefit from the Norwegian funding under the new
agreement are: - CEED Grow - Growing and Scaling Small and Medium Enterprises".
The project is addressed to women entrepreneurs and middle-level managers and
seeks to enhance their leadership, management and entrepreneurial skills. It is
benefiting 300 small and medium-sized companies, in Albania, Tunisia and
Morocco.
- Skills for Success - Employability Skills for Women". The project is providing
more than 450 unemployed and economically disadvantaged, secondary-level
educated women with the necessary skills, knowledge and tools to enter the
labour market in Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.
- Mediterranean New Chance - MedNC". The project implements innovative and
sustainable solutions to address the challenge of socio-professional integration
of young people and, particularly, of those who are not in Education,
Employment, or Training (NEETs) in Algeria, Egypt, France, Morocco, Tunisia and
Spain. Knowledge exchanges are benefiting more than 29,000 unemployed young
people, with 60% women. Despite the progress made globally and at regional
level, we need at least 99.5 years more to achieve gender equality (economic
participation, education, health and political empowerment) according to the
findings of the Global Gender Gap Report 2020. In the UfM region, gender parity
in Western Europe is estimated at 76.7% (54 years to achieve gender parity) and
in MENA region at 61.2% (140 years) indicating there is still a long way to
go.--UfM
Japanese Deputy Justice Minister in Lebanon over Ghosn Case
Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
Japan's deputy justice minister met top officials in Lebanon Monday over the
case of former Nissan´s fugitive ex-boss Carlos Ghosn, who fled to his home
country late last year while on bail in Japan and awaiting trial.
State Minister of Justice Hiroyuki Yoshiie met President Michel Aoun, Justice
Minister Marie-Claude Najm and Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti. Aoun told Yoshiie
that Lebanon had sent a correspondence to Japan over the Ghosn case but had not
received any official response, the presidency said on its Twitter feed. Yo shiie
did not speak to reporters after the meetings and is scheduled to hold a news
conference later in the day. Ghosn made his first public appearance in Lebanon
in early January, saying he fled a "nightmare" that would not end and vowed to
defend his name wherever he can get a fair trial. He was arrested in late 2018
and is facing charges of under-reporting income and breach of trust. He says he
is innocent. He led Nissan for nearly 20 years. On Friday, Japan's Justice
Minister Masako Mori said she was dispatching Yoshiie to Beirut to explain the
Japanese criminal justice system and improve cooperation. She said Tokyo hoped
Lebanon would gain "a proper understanding of the Japanese criminal justice
system."
Japan and Lebanon do not have an extradition treaty and it's unlikely Beirut
would agree to send Ghosn back to Japan to face trial. Mori acknowledged that
there were "various environments" and laws that underpin each country's stance.
Nissan, maker of the Leaf electric car and Z sports car, said in a statement
regarding the justice official’s trip that it hoped Ghosn would return to Japan
to stand trial, "so that all the facts can be properly established under Japan’s
judicial system." Having spent months in detention and struggled to gain his
release on bail under stringent conditions, Ghosn said he fled in the belief he
could not get a fair trial in Japan. Japan has requested Ghosn’s return through
Interpol and issued an arrest warrant after his escape. Lebanese prosecutors
issued a travel ban for Ghosn in January and asked him to hand in his French
passport following an Interpol-issued notice against him. Nissan’s sales have
plunged recently, and it sank into losses for the last fiscal quarter. The brand
is widely considered to have been tarnished by the controversy around Ghosn.
Last month, Nissan filed a civil damage lawsuit against its fugitive ex-chief,
seeking 10 billion yen ($90 million) in damages. The claim added the costs of
what Nissan called Ghosn’s "corrupt practices," such as rent for overseas
property, use of corporate jets and payments for the internal investigation into
wrongdoing.
Japanese Official in Lebanon, Seeks Return of Fugitive
Ghosn
Associated Press/Naharnet/March 02/2020
President Michel Aoun on Monday suggested to visiting Japanese deputy justice
minister that Nissan's fugitive ex-boss Carlos Ghosn won't be extradited back to
Japan and remains in the hands of Lebanon's judiciary, according to a
presidential statement. Ghosn was smuggled out of Japan and into his ancestral
homeland of Lebanon late last year despite supposedly rigorous surveillance. He
jumped $14 million bail to evade charges of financial misconduct that could
carry a jail sentence of up to 15 years. Ghosn, who
led Nissan for nearly 20 years, says he is innocent and that he fled Japan in
the belief he could not get a fair trial there.
Hiroyuki Yoshiie, Japan's deputy justice minister, met Monday with President
Aoun and the ministers of justice and foreign affairs.
Ghosn was arrested in Japan in late 2018 and is facing charges of
under-reporting income and breach of trust. A
statement released by Aoun's office said the president told Yoshiie that Lebanon
repeatedly sent letters to Japan regarding Ghosn's case while he was under
arrest without getting any official response. The
president stressed the two country's had no extradition treaty, and added that
Ghosn entered Lebanon legally through its international airport using his French
passport and a Lebanese identity card. Lebanese
prosecutors issued a travel ban for Ghosn in January and asked him to hand in
his French passport, following an Interpol-issued notice against him. Ghosn made
his first public appearance in Lebanon in early January saying he fled a
"nightmare" and vowed to defend his name wherever he can get a fair trial. On
Friday, Japan's Justice Minister Masako Mori said she was dispatching Yoshiie to
Beirut to explain the Japanese criminal justice system and improve
cooperation.Nissan, maker of the Leaf electric car and Z sports car, said in a
statement regarding the justice official's trip
that it hoped Ghosn would return to Japan to stand trial, "so that all the facts
can be properly established under Japan's judicial system." Nissan's sales have
plunged recently, and the brand is widely considered to have been tarnished by
the controversy around Ghosn.
Nissan Case over Ghosn's Beirut Home to End This Month
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/March 02/2020
Nissan's lawsuit in Lebanon against former CEO Carlos Ghosn over his use of a
Beirut home will wrap up at the end of March, the carmaker's lawyer told AFP on
Monday. The Japanese auto giant filed a case 15 months ago against Ghosn on the
grounds he was illegally using a large residence paid for by Nissan in central
Beirut. Nissan lawyer Sakher al-Hashem said the car manufacturer wants Ghosn,
who has been living it since he jumped bail in Japan and took refuge in Lebanon,
to vacate the house. A hearing was held on Monday and the next, which Hashem
said would be the last before a ruling, was scheduled for March 30 by a Beirut
court. A judge last month rejected Ghosn's request to have security guards
stationed outside his residence by Nissan removed.
Ghosn considers he is the rightful owner of the distinctive house with pink
walls and pale blue shutters, located on an upmarket street of the capital.
The former head of the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance fled Japan, where he
faces several years in jail on charges of financial misconduct, late last year.
He reached Lebanon in mysterious circumstances and has rarely been seen in
public since launching a spirited defense at a well-choreographed January 8
press conference.
Hezbollah Has a New Strategy to Survive Lebanon’s Financial
Crisis
حنين غدار: حزب الله عنده استراتجية جديدة للخروج من أزمة لبنان المالية
Hanin Ghaddar/The Washington Institute/March 02/2020
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/83765/%d8%ad%d9%86%d9%8a%d9%86-%d8%ba%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%ad%d8%b2%d8%a8-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%84%d9%87-%d8%b9%d9%86%d8%af%d9%87-%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%aa%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%ac%d8%af%d9%8a%d8%af/
Unless Washington and its allies respond to the protestors’ legitimate demands
for reform, the group will survive through measures such as expanding its
smuggling activity, promoting its financial institutions, and selectively
scapegoating corrupt politicians.
When IMF officials visited Lebanon late last month amid its accelerating
economic freefall, many wondered whether these developments might alter the
behavior of Hezbollah, the designated terrorist group that has a deep financial
stake in the country’s public and private sectors. During a previous funding
crisis—the increase in U.S. sanctions against the group’s chief underwriter,
Iran—the “Party of God” and its foreign sponsors formulated a new strategy to
evade these measures and create alternative sources of funding. Such sources
allowed Hezbollah to make further inroads into government agencies following the
2018 parliamentary elections. For example, the group’s leaders insisted on
controlling the Health Ministry, which commands Lebanon’s fourth-largest budget
at $338 million per year; they also gained more access to the Ministry of Public
Works and Transport, the Agriculture Ministry, and the Ministry of Energy and
Water, whose assistance was used to fund their affiliated projects and
businesses.
That worked until Lebanon’s own economy began its current nosedive. Unemployment
has hit a record high of 40 percent, and the lira has slumped by about 60
percent on the parallel market, hiking inflation. Officially pegged to the
dollar, the currency has plummeted 40 percent on the black market as local banks
ration dollars necessary for imports of food, medicine, and other essential
goods. Meanwhile, Lebanon has one of the highest debt-to-GDP ratios in the world
(over 150 percent) and may not be able to pay $1.2 billion in Eurobonds this
month. As with the Iran sanctions, however, Hezbollah has a strategy to survive
this domestic pressure, at least in the near term.
IMF TALKS JUST A DISTRACTION
To buy more time for establishing and cultivating alternative funding sources,
Hezbollah gave its blessing for the newly formed government it controls to
receive a small delegation from the IMF last month. Hezbollah officials made
very clear that this was nonbinding technical assistance and would never
materialize into a full IMF program for Lebanon. “We do not accept submitting to
the International Monetary Fund to manage the crisis,” said deputy leader Naim
Qassem during a February 25 press conference, disparaging the organization as an
imperialist tool.
The group’s resistance to deeper IMF involvement is rooted in the fact that a
full assistance program would allow the Fund to access major state institutions
and impose serious reforms, thereby shaking Hezbollah’s clientelist system and
exposing its financial operations to the international community. For example,
one proposed reform would close all illegal points of entry between Lebanon and
Syria while exerting more control over the country’s air and sea ports—an
outcome that would seriously impede the group’s smuggling of goods and weapons.
Another top IMF issue is the electricity sector, which the group would prefer to
leave unreformed because it benefits from the alternative energy sector (e.g.,
Hezbollah entities set up large generator networks that can provide power to
whole neighborhoods, then charge residents a premium for a service that is
supposed to be provided by the state).
At the same time, Hezbollah likely welcomes initial, noncommittal IMF
discussions as a distraction from its real goals: implementing a strategy to
maintain power in Lebanon during and after its economic collapse, repairing its
tarnished image within the Shia community, and, most important, securing sources
of funding that can withstand the crash. Its methods of achieving these goals
are numerous.
PROMOTING AND SMUGGLING IRANIAN PRODUCTS
Hezbollah has been taking advantage of the economic crisis to promote Iranian
products in Lebanon, which are brought in tax free and are therefore very cheap.
After the group launched its campaign to boycott American products last month,
many of its social media outlets started promoting Iranian goods as
replacements. It is no secret that Tehran has been flooding the Lebanese market
with various products for years and will likely continue accelerating these
efforts amid ongoing pressure. Between 2017 and 2019, for example, Iranian steel
imports to Lebanon reportedly jumped from $13,000 to $1.4 million. Medications
are another major Iranian import that Hezbollah promotes. On February 26, the
U.S. Treasury Department highlighted this link by slapping terrorist
designations on several Lebanese pharmaceutical companies affiliated with
Hezbollah’s Martyrs Foundation.
To sidestep such pressure and maintain the flow of Iranian goods, Hezbollah
recently increased its smuggling operations—not only along the Lebanon-Syria
border, but also to the rest of the region. Most of the merchants and customers
involved in this unregulated, often illegal trade are close to Hezbollah’s
business and support networks, potentially allowing the group to emerge from the
economic crash less damaged than the rest of Lebanon’s businesses.
ELEVATING AL-QARD AL-HASSAN
When Lebanese banks began limiting the withdrawal of U.S. dollars in late
October, many depositors decided to take out as many dollars as they could in
cash. An estimated $5 billion has been withdrawn in the past four months alone.
Hezbollah is trying to benefit from this unofficial public cash reserve in two
ways. First, it is intensifying its rhetoric against the banking system in order
to divert public ire from the group’s own role in rampant corruption. Second, it
is encouraging people to use Hezbollah financial institutions to exchange and
deposit their money—especially al-Qard al-Hassan, a U.S.-designated foundation
that has recently become the group’s main money exchanger and the default bank
replacement for its Shia constituency. As the economy deteriorates further, more
citizens may feel compelled to resort to such institutions, which will likely
have U.S. dollars available at cheaper rates than the black markets.
LEGALIZING MARIJUANA
Hezbollah recently abandoned its history of nuanced objection to marijuana
legalization, raising questions about its motives. On February 26, parliament
was finally permitted to approve a long-delayed bill legalizing the crop’s
cultivation for medical and industrial purposes.
Many locals believe that this step could benefit Lebanon economically, since the
UN ranks the country as the world’s fourth-largest producer of marijuana. Yet
others worry that Hezbollah will be the prime beneficiary given its control over
the state institutions that will determine how this sector is managed and
utilized.
GETTING RID OF BERRI
When Lebanese Shia protestors took to the streets in the cities of Nabatiyah,
Tyre, and Baalbek, Hezbollah seemingly concluded that its constituency was
getting out of control. Although these demonstrations were against corruption in
general, they indirectly targeted Hezbollah as the main protector of corrupt
politicians. In the eyes of local Shia, the most prominent of these politicians
is Nabih Berri, the speaker of parliament and head of Hezbollah
rival-cum-political partner the Amal Movement.
To resolve this issue and reconstruct its image among the Shia, Hezbollah is
planning to throw Berri under the bus. Doing so would allow the group to kill
two birds with one stone: proving to the Shia community that it will no longer
protect corruption, and taking over Berri’s share within state institutions and
Shia business networks. Replacing Berri as speaker has already been in the works
for a while, with two candidates leading the pack: Jamil Assayed, the former
head of General Security and a close ally to Syria’s Assad regime, and Abbas
Ibrahim, the current head of General Security.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Hezbollah’s new strategy can help it survive, but not for too long. When the
group stated its objection to an IMF program for Lebanon, it did not offer an
alternative to save the state from eventual bankruptcy. Without at least the
shell of a state, Hezbollah’s plan cannot be sustained. The group’s officials
are aware of this time limit and, much like their patrons in Iran, appear to
hope that the U.S. presidential election in November brings in a new
administration willing to ease the maximum pressure policy.
To counter Hezbollah’s plan and help the Lebanese people survive this crisis,
the United States and its allies should expand the sanctions against corrupt
individuals. The group relies on allies from all sects and on the countrywide
system of corruption that protects its interests in the seaport, airport, and
illegal smuggling routes. The U.S. Global Magnitsky Act is a good tool for
tackling this issue and responding to the demands of demonstrators.
Moreover, while bailing out the current government would only make the problem
worse, providing humanitarian aid could help counter Hezbollah’s attempts to
promote Iranian medications and other essential goods. This effort should be
conducted via international organizations already working in Lebanon, not
through government organizations or local municipalities that could benefit
Hezbollah and the corrupt system.
Finally, Washington should keep pushing the Lebanese Armed Forces to protect
protestors and punish all units and officers who commit violations against them.
Hezbollah’s strategy can only work if the current system and political elite
remain intact—that is, only a Hezbollah-controlled parliament can ensure that
the group’s preferred candidates for speaker, president, and security posts are
appointed and its alternative funding sources are preserved. Protestors keep
demanding early elections and a truly representative electoral law that could
change the legislature’s makeup drastically. Washington and its allies should
catch that momentum while it is still alive, and interrupt Hezbollah’s survival
plan in the process.
*Hanin Ghaddar is the Friedmann Visiting Fellow in The Washington Institute’s
Geduld Program on Arab Politics.
The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News
published on March 02-03/2020
Syria Regime Forces Re-enter Saraqeb
Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
Syrian regime forces re-entered the northwestern town of Saraqeb on Monday after
losing it days earlier to opposition fighters, the Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights and state media said. "Regime forces with Russian air cover were able to
retake complete control of the town of Saraqeb on the Damascus-Aleppo highway,"
the war monitor said. Syrian state news agency SANA said the army had re-entered
the town after violent clashes with Turkey-backed fighters. Opposition spokesman
Naji Mustafa, however, said regime leader Bashar al-Assad's forces had only
taken part of the ghost town long emptied of its inhabitants. "Assad's forces
have launched an assault on Saraqeb and very violent clashes are ongoing
inside," the spokesman for the National Liberation Front said. Pro-government
forces for the first time in years wrested control of the town on February 8,
but militants and allied fighters then re-entered on Thursday. Since December,
Russia-backed regime forces have led a deadly military offensive against the
last major opposition stronghold of Idlib, where Turkey supports some opposition
groups. The assault has caused almost a million people to flee their homes and
shelters in the middle of winter.
The Observatory said Damascus deployed regime troops and allied fighters from
Lebanon's Hezbollah as reinforcements to the Saraqeb area late Sunday in
preparation for an assault on the town. Up to 23 rebels and extremists were
killed in Russian airstrikes and clashes overnight, Observatory chief Rami Abdel
Rahman said. Violence has escalated between regime fighters and Turkish forces
in the Idlib region in the past weeks, killing dozens of troops on each side. On
Sunday, Turkey confirmed a full military operation in northwest Syria after a
Thursday airstrike blamed on Damascus killed 34 Turkish soldiers.
The Observatory says more than 90 regime soldiers have been killed in Turkish
bombardment since Friday, as have 10 Hezbollah fighters. Saraqeb is a strategic
prize for the Syrian regime. The town lies at the intersection of the M5 and M4
highways, which connect the capital and regime coastal stronghold Latakia with
second city Aleppo respectively. On Sunday, SANA reported that the government
shot down a Turkish drone near Saraqeb, publishing footage of an aircraft
tumbling from the sky in flames. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his
Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, whose support for Assad turned the tide of
the war five years ago, are due to meet in Russia on Thursday to seek agreement
on Idlib.
US President Trump recognizes Greece’s right to enforce
border laws: Greek PM
Agencies/Monday, 2 March 2020
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke with US President Donald Trump
over the migration crisis evolving on Greece’s borders with Turkey, a statement
from the Greek premier’s office said on Monday.
Trump “recognized the right of Greece to enforce the law on its borders,” the
statement added. Greece has suspended asylum procedures to prevent thousands of
migrants crossing its border from Turkey. The Turkish government opened its
border last week to let migrants reach Europe, saying it anticipated an imminent
migrant wave from Syria’s Idlib region due to an escalation of conflict there.
More than 10,000 migrants have attempted in recent days to cross into Greece
from Turkey’s land border. Guards have fired tear gas into crowds caught between
the fences in no-man’s land.
Syrian refugee died after trying to cross the Turkey-Greece border: Sources
Reuters/Monday, 2 March 2020
A Syrian refugee seeking to cross from Turkey into Greece died from injuries on
Monday after Greek security forces intervened to prevent the passage of migrants
gathered on the border, two Turkish security sources told Reuters, a claim
denied by Athens. Eyewitness footage showed a group of men carrying a young man
with bloody wounds to his head through a wooded area near the Turkish border
town of Enez. Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said the video
circulating on social media was “fake news”. Reuters spoke to the source whose
voice can be heard in the video. He gave a detailed account of what happened
which matched other reports. He also shared the location with Reuters which was
confirmed by two Turkish officials. The video also matches similar videos of the
incident. The incident occurred after the Turkish government opened its border
last week to let migrants reach Europe, saying it anticipated an imminent
migrant wave from Syria’s Idlib region due to an escalation of conflict there.
It was not clear how the migrant had been wounded. More than 10,000 migrants
have attempted in recent days to cross into Greece from Turkey’s land border.
Guards have fired tear gas into crowds caught between the fences in no-man’s
land.
EU top officials to visit Greece’s border with Turkey over
migrant crisis
AFP/Monday, 2 March 2020
The top three chiefs of the EU’s institutions – its executive, parliament, and
Council – are to visit Greece’s border with Turkey in support for Athens as it
confronts a building migration crisis, European Commission President Ursula von
der Leyen said Monday. Council President Charles Michel, European Parliament
President David Sassoli and von der Leyen will accompany Greek Prime Minister
Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the frontier on Tuesday, she told a Brussels media
conference. Greece has suspended asylum procedures to prevent thousands of
migrants crossing its border from Turkey, whose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
is facilitating the flow to pressure the EU to support him as his forces
escalate combat in Syria. “I acknowledge that Turkey is in a difficult situation
in regards to the refugees and migrants, but what we see now cannot be the
answer and the solution,” von der Leyen said. “The challenge that Greece is
facing right now is a European challenge,” she added.
One Turkish customs agent killed in rocket attack near
Iranian border
Reuters, Ankara/Monday, 2 March 2020
Turkish security forces launched an operation to hunt attackers near the Iranian
frontier on Monday after one Turkish customs agent was killed when a rocket hit
an armored bus carrying customs staff. The rocket
struck the vehicle’s front wheel around 0550 GMT on Monday, Interior Minister
Suleyman Soylu said on Twitter. He said “the
terrorists were followed and cornered,” but did not specify who the attackers
were believed to be. Turkish Trade Minister Rushar
Pekcan said one of the customs agents was killed and several others wounded,
including four in critical condition.
The office of the governor of Agri province said the vehicle was hit while in
transit from the Dogubayazit area to a border gate at Gurbulak, causing it to
skid off the road and flip over. It did not say who had carried out the attack.
The vehicle was near a parking lot for freight trucks some 3km (2 miles) from
the border, hospital and security sources said.
Ambulances, security forces and search and rescue teams were sent to the area.
Some Turkish media reports said the attack was carried out by Kurdistan Workers
Party (PKK) militants, who have fought an insurgency against the Turkish state
since 1984. The PKK are active in southeast Turkey but less so in Agri.
Television footage showed helicopters flying over the area after the attack,
while Turkey’s state-owned Anadolu news agency said two combat helicopters had
fired rounds on “areas where terrorists are believed to be.”Anadolu said a
soldier was critically wounded when an explosive was detonated during
reconnaissance operations in the area. Earlier this month, Turkey closed its
land and air borders with Iran over an outbreak of the new coronavirus.
Iraq’s Adil Abdul Mahdi says will walk away from caretaker
PM role
Reuters, Baghdad/Monday, 2 March 2020
Adil Abdul Mahdi will walk away from his role as Iraq’s caretaker prime minister
and will not conduct most of his official duties, he said in a statement on
Monday, deepening a political crisis in the oil producer.
Abdul Mahdi called on parliament to call early elections on Dec. 4, the
statement said, which came a day after lawmakers failed to approve a cabinet of
his designated successor Mohammed Allawi, who later then withdrew his candidacy.
President Barham Salih announced that he will begin consultations to choose a
replacement within two weeks.
UN Report: Russia, Turkey May Have Carried out War Crimes in Syria
Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
UN investigators said on Monday that Russia and Turkey have committed actions in
Syria that could amount to war crimes. A report by a UN commission on the period
between July, 2019 and Feb 2020, found that Russia conducted airstrikes on a
popular market and a camp for displaced people that killed dozens of civilians
in July and August. "In both incidents, the Russian Air Force did not direct the
attacks at a specific military objective, amounting to the war crime of
launching indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas," it said. The UN
investigators called for ensuring accountability for a "multitude of
violations".The report highlighted abuses by rebels allied to Turkey during an
assault against Kurdish-held areas, saying if the rebels were acting under the
control of Turkish military forces, those commanders may be liable for war
crimes. It also demanded Turkey to investigate whether it carried out an
airstrike on a civilian convoy near Ras al Ain that killed 11 people last
October. Turkey earlier denied having any role in the strike, however the Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights said it was conducted by Turkish air craft,
according to Reuters. It also blamed Russia for a strike in Maarat al-Numan on
July 22 that killed at least 43 civilians. Two residential buildings and up to
25 shops were destroyed after at Russian planes left Hmeimim air base and
circled the area. The report said that only few weeks later, another attack on
the Haas compound for displaced killed no less than 20 people and injured 40
others. The dead included women and children. "Based on the evidence available,
including witness testimonies, video footage, data imagery as well as reports by
flight spotters, flight communication intercepts and early warning observation
reports, the Commission has reasonable grounds to believe that a Russian
aircraft participated in each incident described," it said. A surge in fighting
in northwest Syria has uprooted 1 million civilians since December. On Monday,
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called on Syrian regime forces in northwest
Syria to withdraw to lines determined by Ankara, adding that their losses in
attacks by Turkey and rebel forces were just beginning. "If they do not withdraw
to the lines Turkey has determined as soon as possible, they will not have a
head left on their shoulders," Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara, Reuters
reported.
Turkish Raids Kill Iranian Militia Members in Syria
Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
Turkish raids targeting the de-escalation zone in northwest of Syria has killed
21 Iranian militia members, Anadolu Agency reported citing Iranian
sources.Iran's state TV confirmed the casualties saying they were members of the
‘Fatemiyoun’ and ‘Zainebiyoun’ pro-regime brigades and have been killed last
Friday. Iran’s Military Advisory Center (MAC) in Syria revealed on Sunday that
the Turkish attacks continue in Idlib, calling on Ankara to use logic in
handling the ongoing conflict and to act based on the Syrian people's best
interest. The Center issued orders to its forces not to respond militarily to
Turkish raids, following the injury of Lebanese and Iranian members. "We confirm
once again that all Turkish troops fighting in Idlib are in our range and they
are an easy target for us if we wanted to take revenge. However, we have called
on our military leaders to act with self-restraint," MAC said in one of its
statements. The Turkish attacks killed 10 members from the Lebanese ‘Hezbollah’
in Idlib countryside and members from other militias including one from the
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
discussed on Saturday afternoon with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani the
updates in Idlib. Also, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish
counterpart Mevlut Chavush Oglu discussed on Sunday the preparations for the two
presidents’ meeting, Turkish sources said.
EU Calls For Urgent Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to Discuss
Developments in Syria
Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
EU foreign ministers are set to hold an emergency meeting next week to discuss
the worsening Syria situation that is driving thousands of refugees to the
borders between Turkey and Greece. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs
Josep Borrell warned in a statement on Sunday from the worsening conflict.
"The ongoing renewed fighting in and around Idlib represents a serious threat to
international peace and security. It is causing an untold human suffering among
the population, and having a grave impact on the region and beyond," he said. "I
am therefore calling for an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council
next week to discuss the unfolding situation, in particular at the request of
the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece," Borrell added. Greek police fired
tear gas to repel hundreds of migrants who tried to force their way across the
border from Turkey on Sunday, with thousands more behind them after Ankara
relaxed curbs on their movement, according to Reuters. The Greek government
called the confrontations a threat to national security. “Do not attempt to
enter Greece illegally - you will be turned back,” Prime Minister Kyriakos
Mitsotakis said on Twitter after a security meeting on the situation. “The
present situation is an active, serious, severe and asymmetrical threat to the
national security of the country,” Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas
told reporters, “These ... people are being used by Turkey as pawns to exert
diplomatic pressure,” he stressed. Turkey said on Thursday it would let migrants
cross its borders into Europe, despite a commitment to hold them in its
territory under a 2016 deal with the European Union.
Syrian Regime Increases Gasoline Prices, Rations Internet Usage
Damascus - Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
The Syrian Ministry of Communications and Technology began Sunday implementing a
decision on Internet rationing, which would result in a rise in the costs of
usage. The government also, and without any prior notice, decided to increase
the price of gasoline by SYP25/liter all over Syria, reaching SYP250/liter, as
the exchange rate of the Syrian pound against the US dollar stands at SYP1030.
Inflation is already high, but observers expressed fears of soaring prices after
the hike in the price of gasoline. In an attempt to appease the country’s
poorest and most vulnerable population, a decree was issued on a SYP20,000
increase in the salaries of the families of “martyrs,” the missing and soldiers
and policemen suffering from huge disabilities. Internet usage was rationed,
which despite its bad shape,is the only means for Syrians to stay connected amid
severe power cuts, a stifling domestic gas crisis, and the deterioration in the
purchasing power of more than 85 percent of the Syrian people living below the
poverty line. The Ministry of Communications and Technology began applying the
new mechanism for rationing Internet usage by setting a threshold for the use of
ADSL. If the user exceeds usage limit, speed is reduced.
Immediately after the announcement of the new mechanism, a storm of criticism
erupted. MP Nabil Saleh warned against its consequences, saying that he, and 10
other parliamentarians, submitted a request to interrogate Minister of
Communications Iyad al-Khatib.
Saleh wrote on his Facebook page that the Ministry is looking for profits
without heeding the economic and psychological consequences that its decisions
would have on the people, who have been suffering from a devastating war,
soaring inflation, and the loss of basic necessities and living standards.
Former Minister of Communications Amr Salem responded angrily to Saleh,
defending the new decision, saying the law targets users who “unfairly” use the
Internet, and exchange hundreds of videos daily. Saleh failed to collect 10
signatures to question the Minister of Oil for depriving a large segment of the
Syrian people from cooking gas. He wasn’t either able to collect enough
signatures to interrogate the Minister of Internal Trade for further worsening
the people’s difficult living conditions. But the lawmaker was successful in
gathering 10 signatures to interrogate the Minister of Communications over the
Internet usage limit.
Israel votes for third time in a year
The New Arab & agencies/Monday, 2 March, 2020
Israelis were voting for a third time in 12 months on Monday, with embattled
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking to end the country's political crisis
and save his career.
The vote comes just two weeks before the right-wing premier stands trial over a
series of corruption allegations, but final polls indicated his support was
holding, suggesting another close race between his Likud and the centrist Blue
and White party.
Both will almost certainly fall well short of a majority in Israel's
proportional system and the winner will seek to form a coalition with multiple
smaller parties. After elections in both April and
September last year neither were able to do so, and a similar deadlock remains
possible.
With few undecided in a divided country of 6.4 million eligible voters, turnout
will be key and all parties were campaigning to get their supporters to the
polls. Netanyahu, in power since 2009, said Sunday internal polls suggested they
were close to winning and finally breaking the political deadlock. "We are very
close to victory," Israel's longest-serving premier told a press conference.
"Leave your homes and vote Likud."Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, a former
military general, urged supporters to vote and end Netanyahu's divisive rule.
"You can't just sit at home clicking your tongue, saying 'what's happening
here,'" Gantz told public radio Sunday. "Get out and vote."Fourth round? In
April's election each party won 35 seats, while in September Blue and White
garnered 33 against Likud's 32.
A number of rightwing parties, including two ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties who
last time won 17 seats between them, have already pledged to support Netanyahu.
The Joint List, a coalition representing Israel's Arab minority, won 13 seats in
September and backed Gantz, as did a number of smaller leftwing parties. In
January, Netanyahu was officially charged with bribery, fraud and breach of
trust, becoming the first sitting Israeli leader to be indicted.
The 70-year-old will face trial from March 17 on charges including
receiving improper gifts worth thousands of dollars and offering a media mogul
lucrative regulatory changes in exchange for favourable coverage.
Netanyahu has dominated Likud for twenty years and maintains a deep
loyalty in the party, easily defeating a recent leadership challenge.
He has denied all charges, accusing the state prosecution, media and
others of a witch-hunt. Polls suggest Likud's support has held firm.
In January, US President Donald Trump unveiled controversial peace
proposals greenlighting Israel's annexation of settlements and swathes of land
in the occupied West Bank, sparking Palestinian outrage.
Bolstered by US support, Netanyahu has campaigned on building thousands
more homes in Jewish settlements in the territory. All
settlements are considered illegal by the international community.
Gantz, a security hawk who previously led the Israeli military, has also
welcomed the Trump proposals. Despite backing Gantz, the Joint List has
campaigned on opposition to the Trump proposals, which were immediately rejected
by the Palestinian leadership.
Israel Admits Was Behind Assassination of Son of Islamic
Jihad Official
Tel Aviv- Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett has announced for the first time that
Israel is responsible for the attack on Damascus that killed, Muadh, the son of
a senior Islamic Jihad official Akram al-Ajouri four months ago. Bennett's
statement came in the context of his election campaign in an attempt to present
himself as a game-changer in the army's and government's policies towards the
Palestinians. The operation was conducted on Nov. 12 in retaliation against
Islamic Jihad launching a missile against Ashdod during an elections meeting for
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – the latter had to stop his speech and flee
the hall in a humiliating manner. The failed assassination attempt occurred on
the night that Israel assassinated senior Islamic Jihad militant Baha Abu
al-Atta in the Gaza Strip. Until now, Israel has not accepted responsibility for
the attack in Damascus, although it has been attributed to it by foreign media
outlets.
Bennett said during a TV interview that "upon taking office, we eliminated Baha
(Abu Al-Atta) and indeed attacked Damascus. Until today, when they were shooting
from Gaza, we responded in Gaza… but haven’t eliminated terrorists in
Damascus."Claiming responsibility for the operation came as a shock, especially
that Bennett wasn’t a defense minister back then.
Erekat: PA Under Toxic US Campaign
Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
The secretary of the PLO’s Executive Committee, Saeb Erekat, said that the
Palestinian leadership was under a “fierce and toxic” campaign. “It is clear
that the ‘NO’ that President Mahmoud Abbas has raised in the face of the United
States will have significant costs for our people to pay,” Erekat told
Palestine’s official radio station. He also accused Washington of trying to
weaken the Palestinian leadership and shake its credibility. “Take US ambassador
to Israel David Friedman for example. He lied twice in a short time saying that
East Jerusalem will be the capital of Palestine, despite the presence of a
literal text in the ‘conspiracy of the era’ that reads: The capital will be in
Kafr Aqab and Abu Dis. Second, he spoke about contacts taking place with the
Palestinians. This is a lie.”“Through such statements, Friedman wants to
undermine the credibility of the PLO, the government and the national authority
in front of our people and our Arab brothers,” he noted. Erekat’s comments came
in response to the US ambassador who had said that his administration was
conducting negotiations through back-channel channels with the Palestinians on
the so-called “deal of the century.”“I challenge Friedman to reveal the name of
one Palestinian official in contact with the Trump administration,” the PLO
official stressed.
Hamas Sends Delegations to Cairo, Moscow
Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
A high-ranking Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Sunday at an Egyptian
invitation to mainly discuss the border issue and a potential truce with Israel
in the Gaza Strip. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the delegation is in Cairo
as part of the continuous communication between the two sides. “The delegation
will discuss main issues related to means of ending the aggression on the Gaza
Strip and Egypt’s role in easing the humanitarian crisis caused by the Israeli
siege,” he said. It will also tackle Cairo’s role in helping bridge divides
between Palestinians to confront the so-called “deal of the century” US peace
proposal. Egypt had last week invited Hamas officials to visit Cairo to discuss
important files. The delegation is headed by Rouhi Moushtaha, a member of the
political bureau and the movement's representative in Cairo. Last month, an
Egyptian delegation had traveled to the coastal enclave to support security
measures implemented by Hamas at the border between Gaza and Egypt and to
strengthen the truce agreement between Israel and Palestinian factions. Egypt
has played a key role in brokering informal ceasefire understandings between
Hamas and Israel. Tension grew in Gaza after the unveiling of the US peace plan
on January 28. Palestinian parties in the West Bank and Gaza strongly rejected
the proposal, saying it was heavily biased towards Israel and eliminates their
hope for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Meanwhile,
another Hamas delegation, headed by the movement’s politburo chief Ismail
Haniyeh, arrived in Moscow to discuss the peace plan and Russia's role in
supporting Palestinian rights. Hamas’ relationship with Russia began in 2006
when the movement won the legislative elections. Hamas is seeking to intensify
its contacts with Moscow to strengthen its position in the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict and to persuade Russia to foil Washington’s peace plan, mainly through
its veto at the United Nations Security Council.
Ashmawy among 37 Sentenced to Death in Egypt on Terror
Charges
Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
An Egyptian court on Monday sentenced to death 37 defendants, including one of
the country’s most high-profile terrorists, following their conviction of
terrorism-related charges. The Cairo Criminal Court said the defendants were
charged with belonging to a local affiliate of the ISIS group that is active in
the Sinai Peninsula. Among those sentenced to death was Hisham al-Ashmawy. The
terrorist leader is a former army officer, who was returned to Cairo in May last
year after he was captured in Libya late in 2018 by the Libyan National Army. A
military court separately sentenced al-Ashmawy to death in November for his
participation in scores of attacks on government targets. Egypt has been
fighting for years militants in the restive northern Sinai area and the vast
Western Desert. The men are among more than 200 defendants accused of carrying
out more than 50 militant attacks that included killing high-ranking police
officers and bombings that targeted the Egyptian capital’s police headquarters.
The charges include a 2013 assassination attempt on the Egyptian interior
minister. The court also sentenced 61 defendants to life in prison, and 85
others got sentences ranging from 15 to 5 years in prison.
Monday’s verdict can be appealed before a higher court. For years, Egypt’s
security forces considered al-Ashmawy the country’s most wanted terrorist for
his intelligence value. He is accused of orchestrating several attacks. He was
convicted on several charges, including plotting a 2014 attack that killed 22
military guards near the frontier with Libya, and involvement in an attempt to
kill a former interior minister in 2013. The former special forces officer, who
is in his 40s, was dismissed in 2012 over his radical views. He joined Ansar
Beit al-Maqdis based in the restive Sinai of eastern Egypt but broke off after
the group pledged allegiance to the ISIS group in November 2014. Known by his
nom de guerre "Abu Omar al-Muhajir", Ashmawy announced the formation of an
al-Qaeda-aligned group, Al-Mourabitoun in Libya, in July 2015.
Borrell Stresses EU’s Commitment to Support Democratic Transition in Sudan
Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell underlined
Europe’s strong commitment to support the democratic transition and reform
agenda that is underway in Sudan since the 2019 revolution. The EU official paid
a visit to Sudan on Saturday and Sunday. During his first official visit to the
country, Borrell met with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and the Chairman of the
Sovereign Council General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Borrell focused on the
country’s political and economic transition and reforms, the opportunities to
further enhance bilateral EU-Sudan relations, as well as the development and
stability of the wider region. He confirmed to the Sudanese authorities that the
EU remains firmly behind the historic reform process of the new civilian-led
transitional government. He announced an additional support of 100 million euros
to consolidate the democratic transition, on top of the ongoing 150 million euro
package. “The European Union will continue to play an active role in supporting
and consolidating the political transition in Sudan, to accompany the country on
its path of political and economic reforms and to continue to support the
Sudanese people in their quest for democracy, peace and stability. I met many
young people who were at the origin of the revolution, and they are impatient to
see the peace dividends,” said Borrell. He also gave a keynote speech at the
University of Khartoum and had an exchange of views with students. In his
speech, he praised the visionary generation of young Sudanese, who contributed
greatly to the peaceful change in the country. In the discussions, he commended
the youth for their role in the revolution and encouraged the students to remain
engaged in the democratic process, to ensure the future of Sudan will fulfill
their ideals of peace, freedom and justice. On the same day, an informal
ministerial meeting was held in Khartoum between Borrell and the Foreign
Ministers of the member countries of the Inter-governmental Authority for
Development (IGAD). The meeting focused on security, stability and prosperity of
the Horn of Africa.
Borrell reiterated the EU’s commitment to the region and the Union’s readiness
to support the regional integration and to step up cooperation with IGAD and its
member states. On Sunday, Borrell traveled to North Darfur, where he met with
the local authorities. He also visited camp Zamzam, which hosts 120 000
Internally Displaced Population. He stressed that the EU continues to stand in
solidarity with the people affected by conflict and humanitarian crisis. “For
years, the EU has supported the provision of basic services to prevent a
deterioration of the situation of people who were forced to leave there home due
to conflict, including in Darfur. During my exchanges with the camp inhabitants,
I had the opportunity to hear first-hand about the need to improve living
conditions,” he added. “While the situation has improved in recent years, much
more has to be done. At the beginning of this year, I can already announce that
the EU will provide an additional €30 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan.”
Tripoli Ceasefire on Verge of Collapse as Fighting
Intensifies
Cairo – Khaled Mahmoud/Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 2 March, 2020
Violations of the fragile United Nations ceasefire continued in Tripoli on
Sunday, while the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced that its forces were
advancing on several fronts against militias loyal to the Government of National
Accord (GNA). LNA sources said its forces succeeded in breaching GNA defenses on
the al-Aziziyeh and al-Hira fronts near Tripoli. GNA media claimed heavy losses
among LNA ranks in al-Aziziyeh. Sources from both warring parties reported
fighting with heavy weapons on the Ain Zara and al-Ramleh fronts south of
Tripoli. GNA sources claimed that seven LNA members were detained in the
fighting. The allegation was quickly refuted by a military source. It instead
said 12 members of pro-GNA militias were killed in the fighting. The sounds of
explosions were also heard near the Mitiga air base near the capital. Meanwhile,
the interim government in eastern Libya announced it had signed memorandums of
understanding with the Syrian regime on reopening diplomatic missions and
coordinating stances at international arenas. A delegation from Prime Minister
Abdullah al-Thani’s interim government made a surprise visit to Damascus on
Sunday. It was the first such trip since the overthrow of the regime of late
Libyan leader Moammar al-Gaddafi in 2011. The delegation included Thani’s
deputy, the ministers of foreign affairs and defense and intelligence chief.
They met with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem and his deputy. They
agreed that their defense ministries and intelligence agencies would exchange
information about the thousands of pro-Turkey Syrian terrorists who were sent to
Tripoli and the Libyan fugitives who had joined the al-Nusra Front and ISIS
terror groups in Syria. The Thani government said the visit was part of
political and security coordination efforts aimed at countering terrorism and
the Turkish aggression against Libya and Syria. Turkey backs the GNA, and also
backs Syrian opposition factions fighting against the regime. Turkey has
recently sent thousands of its troops into the last opposition-held stronghold
in Syria, and the past week has seen a major escalation in direct conflict
between Syrian and Turkish forces, with dozens killed on both sides. Ankara has
also sent Syrian mercenaries to Libya to support the GNA against an LNA
offensive against Tripoli.
United Nations special envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame
resigns
News Agencies/The National/March 02/2020
He said on Twitter he had tried for two and a half years to reunite Libyans and
prevent foreign intervention
The United Nation’s envoy for Libya Ghassan Salame resigned on Monday, saying he
can no longer continue his work because of health reasons. “My health no longer
allows this rate of stress,” Mr Salame wrote in a tweet on Monday, adding that
he had asked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to be relieved of his post.
The former Lebanese minister of culture has played a key role heading the
United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). In
his tweet he mentioned recent attempts aimed at reconciling the warring factions
in Libya’s bitter civil war, saying he had worked for two years seeking to
“reunite Libyans, curb external interference and preserve the unity of the
country”.In January world leaders met in Berlin at a high-stakes summit to
discuss ways to end the conflict. At the talks in
Germany, Mr Salame spearheaded efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire in the
Libyan capital Tripoli and check foreign interference in the North African
nation. Libya has been plagued by violence following
the 2011 uprisings and subsequent Nato-backed intervention that ousted 40-year
ruler Muammar Al Qaddafi. In 2014 the country erupted in an internecine civil
war pitting eastern and western factions against one another.
In April 2019, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA) launched his
offensive against Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). Since then
the conflict has increasingly drawn in international powers.
The talks in Berlin failed to achieve Mr Salame’s goal of a lasting truce
in Tripoli. The summit’s other achievements, announcing a commitment by
international powers to Libya’s much-flouted arms embargo and the start of
military talks in Geneva have also unravelled in the intervening weeks.
Mr Salame’s successor will face an unenviable list of obstacles as they
look to resurrect negotiations that were suspended at the end of February.
Putin Proposes to Enshrine God, Heterosexual Marriage in
Constitution
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/March 02/2020
Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted to parliament a number of
proposed constitutional changes, including amendments that mention God and
stipulate that marriage is a union of a man and woman.
Putin unleashed a political storm in January by proposing an overhaul of the
constitution, the first changes to the basic law since 1993.
Shortly afterwards, the lower house unanimously approved the
constitutional reform bill in a first reading after less than two hours of
debate. Ahead of a second and key reading set for next week, Putin submitted new
proposals running to 24 pages, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said. "The
president's amendments are the result of his dialogue with representatives of
all factions (and) civil society," he said in comments released by the State
Duma, or parliament. The proposed amendments enshrine
the mention of Russians' "faith in God" and also stipulate that marriage is a
heterosexual union, deputy speaker Pyotr Tolstoy said. Most Russians identify as
Orthodox Christians, but Russia is officially a secular state. The new
amendments also ban giving away Russian territory, and any call promoting such a
move would also be outlawed. A member of a Kremlin-appointed constitutional
working group, actor Vladimir Mashkov, has suggested that such an amendment
would ensure that Russia keeps Crimea -- which it annexed from Ukraine in 2014
-- or the Kuril Islands -- disputed with Japan for decades -- even after Putin
quits power.
Historic truth
The amendments also seek to protect historic truth. The Russian leader has
repeatedly railed against attempts to "rewrite" history and complained that the
West does not fully appreciate the huge losses sustained by the Soviet Union
during World War II. Russia is set to hold large-scale celebrations this year,
75 years after the Allied victory over the Nazis.
Tolstoy praised the draft legislation. "I believe that most of the proposals
that have been discussed have been taken into account," he told AFP, adding he
was glad the president supported his heterosexual marriage proposal. The
67-year-old Putin, who has dominated Russia for 20 years, has sought to cast
himself as a defender of traditional values and rally support by promoting
anti-Western and conservative ideas.Putin's fourth stint in the Kremlin has seen
a strong pivot to more conservative policies, with groups promoting
fundamentalist Orthodox Christian views gaining more legitimacy
and liberal viewpoints attacked as Moscow's relations with the West have soured.
The second reading of the constitutional reform bill is expected to take place
on March 10, said a spokeswoman for Pavel Krasheninnikov, co-chief of the
constitutional working group. She said the text of the amendments was expected
to be published later this week. A public vote on the
constitutional reforms has been set for April 22.
Analysts see Putin's plan to change the constitution as beginning preparations
for succession when his current term ends in 2024, while the opposition says the
Kremlin strongman wants to remain leader for life. The
reforms will transfer some authority to parliament, including the power to
choose the prime minister, and strengthen the role of an advisory body called
the State Council, potentially headed by Putin. More
than 22,000 people rallied in central Moscow at the weekend to call on Putin not
to stay in power indefinitely. According to the Levada Center, an independent
pollster, a quarter of Russians will back the constitutional proposals, while 56
percent said they were not sure why the changes were needed.
The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources published on March 01-02/2020
Education Reform: What Kind of Arab World Do We Aspire for?
Marwan Muasher/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 02/2020
The novel coronavirus outbreak has entered a new phase with pe
One cannot look at the Arab world today and conclude that things are fine. Waves
of popular protests have swept through the Arab world, erupting in 12 of the 22
Arab states.
Foreign conspiracy arguments are no longer convincing to nations hoping to live
with dignity, take part in shaping their lives, and for corruption and nepotism
to not be among the foundational principles of their societies. While there is
an absence of social justice and a productive economy, thought and freedom are
restricted, dissenting opinions are not accepted and creativity is discouraged
in an almost systematic manner.
We should not be surprised, then, when we see the quantitative indicators coming
from the Arab world. The youth unemployment rate in the region is double that of
the rest of the world, making it one of the highest in the world. More than 40
percent of youths in many Arab states want to emigrate, while most Arab
countries are ranked in some of the lowest positions in the world with regard to
indicators of freedom and democratization.
Unfortunately, the gap between us and the rest of the world is growing with the
massive acceleration brought about by technology to a global economy that is
becoming increasingly more reliant on knowledge than it is on traditional
industrial and agricultural activity.
Where do we stand in this transformation? It seems to many that a number of Arab
countries have become outside the circle of contemporary society. This is due to
our disregard for the essence of matters, Arab governments' insistence on
managing economic activity rather than leaving it to the private sector, and
their control over the political decision-making process, thereby expelling
capable Arabs, who, if they were allowed to, would qualitatively transform
educational, technological and digital sectors in the Arab world.
In the era of modern technology, where applications such as Uber revolutionized
transportation and Amazon shopping, to give two examples, where does the Arab
world fit into these transformations in knowledge as its educational systems are
still based on indoctrination, a unilateral education of absolute facts, where
the opinions of the teachers who refuse to engage in dialogue are sanctified?
How could our educational systems cultivate young people who are not only
capable of entering the labor market of the modern era, but also be armed with
the skills that allow them to adapt to the ever-changing needs of that market,
changing so rapidly that the skills students are required to acquire at
university in a specific course would have changed by 30% before they even
graduate?
With the exception of the few who were granted real educational opportunities,
either by studying abroad or at private educational institutions, an opportunity
given only those from social classes that are able to grant it, how could the
Arab world claim that its educational systems are preparing its new generation
of young people to deal with these new changes while they hardly qualify these
students to work in the public sector and engage activities that are mostly
unproductive?
How can the new generation adapt itself to the continuous change to the needs of
the labor market while it is not trained to think critically, scrutinize,
research, express opinion and to learn continuously and accept different
opinions? How does the Arab world hope to catch up with modern global
civilization while it is not equipped with the ABCs of modern education?
Here, I would like to quote a 2018 report on education in the Arab world that
was co-written by many authors. It concluded that “Arab educational systems do
not—and indeed are not designed to—foster democratic and engaged citizenship in
all of its aspects. Rather than focus on learning more broadly, most of them
center more narrowly on the acquisition of defined and approved bodies of
knowledge. School systems are designed to use specific academic material, and as
a result, teachers are encouraged to impart lower-level cognitive skills (recall
and comprehension) at the expense of higher-level ones (application, analysis,
synthesis, evaluation, and critical thinking).
The systems therefore produce graduates with credentials but not the range of
skills necessary to deal with the political, economic, and social challenges
faced by Arab societies—or even to meet the needs of the workplace, which is the
purported goal of many recent reform efforts”.
The problem is not a financial one, for many Arab states spend heavily on
education and modern technology allows for access to modern education with the
resources at hand. The more significant problem is the singular mode of thinking
that has been prevalent in the Arab world for a long time, a mode of thinking
that sees any educational reform as going against religious or societal norms or
as an attempt by foreign powers to change Arab culture. The insistence on
maintaining the current education system under the ridiculous pretext of
protecting it from other societies are called for by those who use cell phones,
computers, the internet, cars and airplanes and other technologies that are made
by other societies. Engaging other societies has been considered degrading by
them, while, after Islam entered the Arab world, the Arabs engaged with Persian,
Roman and Greek societies, learned things from them that they evolved, built on
and exported to the west without any issues.
Educational reform in the Arab should not be conditioned on getting those who
want to stand against innovation and creativity on board, regardless of their
motives. It does not make sense to use theories of foreign conspiracies to
maintain educational systems that are no longer valid for today and tomorrow's
worlds. This is an unjustified and unacceptable pretext and should be feared.
Educational reform has become a request for survival. It's not a luxury reserved
for the elite or a foreign conspiracy, and it is not directed against religion
or Arab culture. Rather, it is the adoption of a new intellectual framework that
is based on accepting intellectual pluralism, and the realization that
difference gives us strength and an impetus towards continuous renewal. For
accepting pluralism of thought and lifestyle are requisites for creativity,
while the insistence on singularity of thought and action and patriarchal
systems hinder our progress in a constantly changing world.
The only result of our insistence on arguing about the basics and clinging to
tradition is that it allowed others to produce knowledge and adapt and develop
it to serve their societies, while we became mere consumers of this knowledge,
without this consumption resulting in a noticeable increase to development of
the Arab region.
The battle to develop educational systems in the region is not a political
battle as some people like to portray it to be, one in which the outside world
tries to trump our national culture; rather, it is an existential battle in
which to put an end to the great decline of our societies, which will lead to
the Arab nation’s disappearance and underdevelopment. We cannot afford to keep
bickering among ourselves until we are outside human civilization, for insisting
on living in yesterday's homes prevents us from building tomorrow's dwellings.
Syria and Messages Soaked in Blood
Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 02/2020
The novel coronavirus outbreak has entered a new phase with pe
The terror of the Coronavirus has spread all over the cosmic village and has
become the number-one concern of leaders and governments. Two men stayed out of
this new equation: Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In their offices,
the fire of the battles in Idlib took precedence over everything else.
The bloody confrontations between the Turkish and Syrian armies have put the
relationship between the Turkish and Russian presidents under a difficult test.
A test of prestige, image, and ability to protect interests.
The harshest experiments are those where the parties involved are unable to
retract and accept the loss. In Syria, Putin maintains a decisive policy that
enables President Bashar al-Assad’s regime to recover all of Syria’s soil. He
did not show any signs of anxiety about scenes reminiscent of the “solution” he
imposed in Grozny. That is, maximum violence to reach complete victory.
But Syria is not Chechnya. Perhaps that is why Putin has preferred a gradual
nibbling policy over devouring a hot meal at once. The Astana and Sochi breaks
were just breathtaking truces.
Putin was most likely hoping to complete his project without major obstacles,
especially as he puts it under the title of “Fighting terrorists holed up in
Idlib.”
Past years have taught him that America does not want to be involved in the
Syrian conflict and that Europe is an aging continent that embellishes data to
ease the conscience. He knows that NATO has lost the appetite for engagement
outside the European arena and that statements by members of the Security
Council are like crying over spilled milk.
The nibbling policy required a set of procedures, the first of which is
disrupting the role of the Security Council in the Syrian crisis by raising the
veto sword. China has often joined the Russian position.
Another procedure is dissociating Israel by allowing it to wage war against
Iranian military infrastructure on Syrian soil and establishing a warm
relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Russian policy also required the adaptation of the Turkish position after
the Russian plane was shot down, then moving to sow suspicion between Ankara and
its NATO allies.
This policy succeeded to the point that Turkey had added the Russian S-400
missiles to its Atlantic arsenal, which aroused the concern of America and NATO
countries.
Putin went even further when he gave Turkey the green light to eliminate the
“Kurdish entity” along the Syrian side of the border.
The Kremlin master used the Syrian platform to say that Russia was no longer
afflicted by the Soviet rubble. It is not a regional power surrounded by the
Atlantic pawns. It is a major country that has regained its military, political,
and diplomatic strength, despite the size of its economy, which is almost equal
to that of Italy. He used the platform to confirm that America is increasingly
withdrawing from the region, and that Europe lacks the tools of the role even if
it wants to assume it.
Syria was not Putin’s dream alone. It was also Erdogan’s. He established a
relationship of cooperation and exchange with its president, whom he proudly
called, “My friend Bashar.”
To attract neighboring Syria, Erdogan sent his former foreign minister, Ahmed
Davutoglu, 50 times to Assad’s office. But with the outbreak of the “Arab
Spring,” calculations changed. Erdogan opened the border to roving fighters to
infiltrate into Syrian territory, so they rushed to it from all sides. His need
for victory in Syria augmented after the Egyptian army ousted the Brotherhood
from their country.
It was not Iran alone that succeeded in saving the Syrian regime. Russia’s
military intervention in September 2015 ended Erdogan’s dream.
In his vast palace, Erdogan receives a poisonous defeat. The bodies of the
Turkish soldiers arrive, one after another. It is a painful blow that would not
have happened, except with Russian interference or at least blessing.
He will not point the finger to Russia because he cannot withstand a
confrontation with it. He will go to accuse the Syrian army, but his statements
revealed his belief that Russian honey was mixed with poison. He remembered that
his forces were standing in front of Russia in Idlib, as well as in Libya.
Idlib’s inferno pushed about a million Syrians toward the Turkish border. The
continuation of the battles heralds the escape of another million. In parallel
to the field revenge, which also hit members of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Erdogan
threatened the European Continent with the refugee crisis, amid limited Atlantic
solidarity and Donald Trump’s unwillingness to provide direct military support.
In an evening soaked in the blood of soldiers, Erdogan is surprised that the
world overlooks Iran’s possession of the decision-making “in four Arab
capitals”, while not recognizing Turkey’s right to a part of the Syrian pie.
Another scenario worries him. It is that one day he will leave his Turkish
presidential palace, while Bashar Al-Assad will still be the master of his own.
Turkey rebelled against the game run by the Russian side. It restored something
of the internationalization to the Syrian crisis. But exchanging blood-soaked
messages will not lead to a direct military confrontation between the Turkish
and Russian armies. The two sides are obliged to reach a new agreement that
Ankara wants clearer and more binding. Most probably, Turkey wants a long stay
on Syrian soil.
Working Together to Develop a Coronavirus Vaccine
Richard Hatchett/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 02/2020
The novel coronavirus outbreak has entered a new phase with person-to-person
transmission now occurring in multiple countries, setting off economic alarm
bells around the globe and underscoring the growing risk posed by epidemics in
our modern, hyper-connected world.
Stopping disease spread altogether using isolation and quarantine is going to be
extremely difficult, although the precautions being taken by governments –
including those in the Gulf – can slow it down and will buy valuable time.
The most powerful tool we can bring to bear, however, is a vaccine – and we need
to invest now to make it a reality. Vaccines are the one weapon that can stop an
infectious disease dead in its tracks.
Even after more than 80,000 cases and 2,700 deaths, mostly in China, there are
still many things we do not know about the virus that causes COVID-19. These
include the number of people an average infected person goes on to infect, its
fatality rate and whether it will exhibit a seasonal pattern, like flu, and die
down in the summer months.
But some things are clear: this virus is extremely challenging to contain, it
poses a major health risk and if it persists as an ongoing, or endemic, human
disease, a vaccine will be all the more crucial.
Because the virus was previously completely unknown – it is just the kind of
mystery “Disease X” that health experts have long feared – there are no existing
products to treat it or prevent its spread.
Making a vaccine against such an enemy is a formidable task, but we have already
moved with unprecedented speed. The effort has been helped by the presence of my
organization, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which
was set up in 2017 after West Africa’s deadly Ebola epidemic in 2014-15, to
accelerate work on vaccines against emerging infectious diseases. It is a pooled
resource for the world against epidemics that do not respect borders, bringing
together public, private, philanthropic and civil society organisations.
Typically, a new vaccine takes years – sometimes decades – to develop. However,
under a programme that we are funding, biotech company Moderna has already
shipped vials of test vaccine to the US National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases (NIAID), just 42 days after the genetic sequence of the new
coronavirus was identified. This record-breaking timetable puts us on track to
hit our target of having a vaccine against a previously unknown pathogen ready
to test in humans within 16 weeks.
Of course, this is only the start. Even if the vaccine performs as well as
hoped, it could take around a year and a half to complete trials and scale up
production.
In the current crisis, health experts in the private and public sectors are
working as hard and as fast as they can on multiple fronts. CEPI is also
supporting work on other COVID-19 vaccines (University of Queensland, Inovio and
CureVac) and is collaborating with GSK, the world’s leading vaccine
manufacturer. GSK will make available its pandemic adjuvant technology - an
adjuvant is a special ingredient that is added to some vaccines to boost the
immune response and effectively makes a given supply of vaccine go farther.
We are learning fast and the lessons from research carried out in “peace time”
between epidemics is proving vital in fast-tracking work during this emergency.
Moderna’s vaccine, for example, builds on experience gained with experimental
ones against similar coronaviruses responsible for Middle Eastern Respiratory
Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
We are also funding work at universities and biotech firms into new
“plug-and-play” vaccine technology platforms. These use standard components as a
backbone but can be adapted to fight specific diseases by plugging in different
genetic sequences.
Developing new vaccines is not cheap, but the cost we estimate will be needed to
advance vaccine candidates through to large-scale clinical trials is a drop in
the ocean compared to the economic damage caused by COVID-19. History shows that
even small epidemics can have a major economic impact – and the current outbreak
is not small. We are already seeing a devastating impact on global trade,
travel, working patterns and supply chains. The fallout is reflected in cuts to
GDP forecasts and a slump in stock markets.
Today’s world allows pathogens to spread at the speed of a jet plane and the
risk of major disease outbreaks is unfortunately increasing. Over the past few
years, we have seen a string of outbreaks, including Ebola, Lassa fever, SARS,
MERS, Zika and Nipah. But we can prepare. Governments, corporations and civil
society must come together now to invest in the vaccines of tomorrow.
Why Are Palestinians Dying in Hamas Prisons?
Bassam Tawil/Gatestone Institute/March 0/2020
The families' calls for launching investigations into the death of their sons
while in Hamas detention have been ignored not only by Hamas, but also by the
international community, human rights organizations and media.
Al-Sa'afeen's mother emphasized that the Israelis treat Palestinians much better
than Hamas does. "When the Jews arrest someone, they contact his family to say
they are holding him... But Hamas refused to provide us with any information
about the detention of my son or his health condition.... We told [Hamas] that
he's sick and needs medicine, but they refused to give him any treatment. Until
today, we don't know why my son was arrested."
When Palestinians die in Palestinian prisons, the murders are presumably
regarded as the handiwork of supposedly savage Arabs, who are -- with racist
contempt -- held to a lower standard of conduct than Westerners, and therefore
regarded as unworthy of human rights, accountable governance, due process or
equal justice under the law.
They are evidently considered "just" Palestinian families complaining about
brutal torture in Palestinian prisons -- so international human rights
organizations do not even notice them.
When Palestinians are brutally tortured and die of dubious causes in Hamas
prisons, the murders are ignored not only by Hamas, but also by the
international community, human rights organizations and media. Pictured: A
jailed Palestinian in Gaza City on November 7, 2018.
Essam al-Sa'afeen, a 39-year-old Palestinian from al-Bureij refugee camp in the
center of the Gaza Strip, was pronounced dead on February 23, one month after he
was arrested by Hamas security forces. His family and friends are demanding
answers from Hamas regarding the circumstances of the death al-Sa'afeen, a
father of six.
Hamas says it has formed a commission of inquiry to investigate the
circumstances surrounding his death.
According to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Interior, which is in charge of
the Palestinian security forces in the Gaza Strip, al-Sa'afeen died shortly
after he was transferred from prison to a hospital. The ministry said al-Sa'afeen
was rushed to the hospital after a "sudden deterioration in his health
condition."
The Palestinian Fatah faction, headed by Palestinian Authority (PA) President
Mahmoud Abbas, has accused Hamas of brutally torturing al-Sa'afeen during his
incarceration.
Al-Sa'afeen was a member of Fatah who previously served as a police officer in
the PA security forces before Hamas's violent takeover of the Gaza Strip in
2007. On January 27, 2020, masked gunmen arrested al-Sa'afeen on the streets of
al-Bureij refugee camp, apparently for his membership in Fatah.
Hamas often arrests Fatah members in the Gaza Strip for their political
activities and criticisms of Hamas's leaders and policies. Similarly, the
Fatah-dominated PA in the West Bank regularly arrests Palestinians in the West
Bank because of their affiliation with Hamas. Palestinians call the security
crackdown by both parties "politically-motivated arrests."
The death of al-Sa'afeen did not surprise Palestinians who are familiar with
various methods of torture in Hamas and PA prisons. The Gaza-based Al-Mezan
Center for Human Rights said that an autopsy conducted by the forensic medicine
department on the body of al-Sa'afeen showed "bruises and a change in the color
of the skin" -- implying he had been physically abused.
"Al-Mezan Center regrets the death of the detainee and calls for a serious
investigation into the conditions of his detention," the center announced in a
statement. The Center also called on Hamas to investigate whether al-Sa'afeen
had received medical treatment during his detention for the high blood pressure
and diabetes from which he suffered.
Addammer, a Palestinian human rights organization in the West Bank, also
expressed concern over his death and called for an immediate inquiry.
The organization also called for "providing medical care in detention centers to
detainees" and urged Hamas to launch a "serious investigation into this incident
and hold those responsible to account."
The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), another Palestinian human
rights organization, said that it had first become aware of the detention of al-Sa'afeen
in early February, when his family appealed to its representatives for help.
"Since ICHR received the family's complaint, it tried to visit al-Sa'afeen in
prison to learn about the conditions of his detention," the organization
disclosed.
"The [Hamas] Internal Security Agency refused to allow our representatives to
visit him. We demand a criminal investigation into this incident, the
publication of the results and holding accountable those responsible." Al-Sa'afeen's
mother emphasized that the Israelis treat Palestinians much better than Hamas
does. "When the Jews arrest someone, they contact his family to say they are
holding him," she stated.
"But Hamas refused to provide us with any information about the detention of my
son or his health condition. We didn't receive any phone call from my son and
[Hamas] wouldn't allow us to send him clothes or food or medicine." She added
that Hamas did not even inform her family that al-Sa'afeen had been transferred
to a hospital. "May God punish all those who assaulted him," she said.
"The Jews allow detainees to phone their families. We didn't receive even one
phone call. We told [Hamas] that he's sick and needs medicine, but they refused
to give him any treatment. Until today, we don't know why my son was arrested."
The Palestinian news website Amad pointed out that on the same day that al-Sa'afeen
was pronounced dead, the Israeli authorities installed phones for the use of
Hamas prisoners held in Israeli prisons.
The al-Sa'afeen family later issued a statement saying that in a Hamas prison,
their son had died as a result of brutal torture. The family said that they held
Hamas and its security forces fully responsible for the death of their son and
called for the formation of an independent commission to investigate the
circumstances of, and reasons for, his death.
Sadly, al-Sa'afeen's death follows an unacceptable pattern:
In 2011, Hamas announced the death of Ibrahim al-A'raj in one of its prisons two
days after he was taken into custody.
In 2015, the family of Khaled al-Balbisi, 41, announced that he had died in a
Hamas prison three days after his arrest.
In 2016, a Palestinian human rights group called for an immediate investigation
into the death of Ashraf Eid, 40, in a Hamas prison in the town of Deir al-Balah
in the Gaza Strip. The group said that Eid died only three days after he was
arrested by Hamas security forces.
In 2017, another Palestinian, Khalil Abu Harb, from Gaza City, also died while
being held in a Hamas prison. Hamas then promised to investigate the incident,
but no results have ever been published. Some reports claimed that Abu Harb had
committed suicide.
A year later, another detainee, whose name has never been released, was found
dead in his prison cell in the town of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. No one has ever
heard the result of any investigation into this case, as well.
Also in 2018, Palestinians reported that a 21-year-old man, whose identity was
also not known, had died of a "heart attack" in a Hamas prison in the northern
Gaza Strip.
The families of al-Sa'afeen and the other Palestinians who have died in Hamas
prisons are deluding themselves if they think they will ever receive
satisfactory explanations from Hamas regarding the circumstances of these
deaths.
The families' calls for launching investigations into the death of their sons
while in Hamas detention have been ignored not only by Hamas, but also by the
international community, human rights organizations and media.
Palestinian detainees do not die of dubious causes in Israeli prisons; perhaps
that is why no one in the international community seems to care. When
Palestinians die in Palestinian prisons, the murders are presumably regarded as
the handiwork of supposedly savage Arabs, who are -- with racist contempt --
held to a to lower standard of conduct than Westerners, and therefore regarded
as unworthy of human rights, accountable governance, due process or equal
justice under the law.
They are evidently considered "just" Palestinian families complaining about
brutal torture in Palestinian prisons -- so international human rights
organizations do not even notice them.
*Bassam Tawil is based in the Middle East.
© 2020 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No
part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied
or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
China Cracks Down on Religion Even Harder
Judith Bergman/Gatestone Institute/March 0/2020
"In practice, your religion no longer matters, if you are Buddhist, or Taoist,
or Muslim or Christian: the only religion allowed is faith in the Chinese
Communist Party." — A Catholic priest, AsiaNews.it, December 31, 2019.
One mother, who is a member of The Church of Almighty God, said that her son
told her to abandon her faith when he returned home after school. "My son told
me that if I get arrested, our entire family will be finished. He threatened to
jump off the building to end his life if I continued practicing my faith," she
recently told Bitter Winter.
One shop-owner told Bitter Winter, "A few years ago, many shops sold religious
couplets. In 2018, the government started banning them. Last year, all couplets
were confiscated from shops, and this year, sellers are threatened to be fined
and imprisoned. No one sells them in Shangqiu anymore. Who dares to risk?"
China, meanwhile, maintains that its human rights record is admirable. According
to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, "The Chinese people are in
the best position to judge China's human rights condition, which is at its
historical best." — Time.com, January 15, 2020.
One mother in China, who is a member of The Church of Almighty God, recently
said that her son told her to abandon her faith when he returned home after
school. "My son told me that if I get arrested, our entire family will be
finished. He threatened to jump off the building to end his life if I continued
practicing my faith." Pictured: Members of The Church of Almighty God
commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, on June 4,
2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
China is increasing its already extremely severe suppression of religious
freedom. More than a year ago, at a November 2018 hearing of the
Congressional-Executive Commission on China, the President of the Religious
Freedom Institute, Thomas F. Farr, described China's religious suppression as
"the most systematic and brutal attempt to control Chinese religious communities
since the Cultural Revolution."
On December 30, 2019, China's Communist Party (CCP) announced new
"Administrative Measures for Religious Groups". The measures -- which came into
force on February 1, 2020 -- stipulate that religious organizations exist to
promote the CCP and its ideology, according to Bitter Winter, a magazine on
religious liberty and human rights in China.
According to article 17 of the new measures:
"Religious organizations shall spread the principles and policies of the Chinese
Communist Party, as well as national laws, regulations, and rules, to religious
staff and religious citizens, and educate and guide religious staff and
religious citizens to support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party,
support the socialist system, and adhere to the path of socialism with Chinese
characteristics..."
"In practice, your religion no longer matters, if you are Buddhist, or Taoist,
or Muslim or Christian: the only religion allowed is faith in the Chinese
Communist Party," a Catholic priest said.
The Communist ideology, it seems, does not tolerate competing narratives.
The new administrative measures have been accompanied by an intensification of
educational indoctrination. In one city, Bitter Winter notes, schoolchildren
were told to sign pledges to stay away from religion. Their parents received
letters explaining that children cannot hold religious beliefs "because they are
unable to think independently, as they are at a critical stage of development,
both physically and mentally, which is crucial for establishing correct outlook
on the world, life, and values".
Also, according to Bitter Winter:
"A variety of government-issued documents order schools 'to make the most of the
adolescence' and 'increase anti-religious publicity' by organizing meetings for
students and using broadcasts, bulletins, and other means, to achieve 'the goal
of planting anti-religious thoughts into young students' minds and hearts'...
Anti-religious propaganda is also extended to students' families and society at
large, as communities are encouraged to get involved in the indoctrination of
the young 'by setting examples and influencing each other.'"
Bitter Winter additionally reported that a high school teacher in Yichun warned
students that "their families' future will be ruined and even their descendants
will be implicated if anyone in their families believes in God." One mother, who
is a member of The Church of Almighty God, said that her son told her to abandon
her faith when he returned home after school. "My son told me that if I get
arrested, our entire family will be finished. He threatened to jump off the
building to end his life if I continued practicing my faith," she recently told
Bitter Winter.
The Church of Almighty God (CAG) is a relatively new Christian movement in
China, established in the 1990s. It is currently said to be the most persecuted
religious group in the country. According to the Church of Almighty God's "2019
Annual Report on the Chinese Communist Government's Persecution of The Church of
Almighty God":
"According to incomplete statistics, just between 2011 and the end of 2019, more
than 400,000 CAG Christians were arrested by the Chinese authorities, and it is
well-documented that the number of believers who have died as a result of
persecution since the Church's establishment has reached 146."
In 2019, also according to the report:
"...at least 32,815 CAG Christians were directly persecuted by the
authorities... because they engaged in such normal church activities as
attending gatherings and preaching the gospel... at least 6,132 members have
been arrested... with 3,824 members suffering all manner of cruel tortures and
forced indoctrination; 1,355 members have been sentenced, with 481 members given
severe sentences of 3 years or more, 64 members given sentences of 7 years or
more, and 12 members having been sentenced to 10 years or more... at least 19
believers died as a result of persecution... The figures above only represent a
portion of the CAG Christians victimized by the CCP during the past year...".
In the Hubei province, Bitter Winter states, authorities have cracked down on
Buddhist and Taoists places of worship, leaving believers "with no place to
worship, and monks forced to return to secular life." In August, 40 out of 79
temples in one town were sealed off. Authorities also literally destroy temples
and statues. "We just worship Bodhisattva and burn incense. But officials
attacked our temple like a gang of bandits," one elderly believer told Bitter
Winter. "They are inhuman. What can people like us do about it? We can't stop
them."
In January, Gatestone Institute's Lawrence A. Franklin wrote about the
atrocities committed against the approximately one million incarcerated Chinese
Muslims -- Uighurs, Kazakhs and others -- in detention centers and how they are
forcefully "re-educated," including "horrific physical abuse, such as forced
organ removal, abortions and medical 'experiments'".
The Chinese government even prohibited religious couplets, which according to
Bitter Winter are a Chinese form of poetry, "a tradition spanning generations
when people write their wishes, often on red paper, and hang them on the doors
or gates of their homes. Spring Festival couplets are the most common and
traditional form to celebrate the Chinese New Year." One shop-owner told Bitter
Winter:
"A few years ago, many shops sold religious couplets. In 2018, the government
started banning them. Last year, all couplets were confiscated from shops, and
this year, sellers are threatened to be fined and imprisoned. No one sells them
in Shangqiu anymore. Who dares to risk?"
China, meanwhile, maintains that its human rights record is admirable. According
to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, "The Chinese people are in
the best position to judge China's human rights condition, which is at its
historical best."
Judith Bergman, a columnist, lawyer and political analyst, is a Distinguished
Senior Fellow at Gatestone Institute.
© 2020 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No
part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied
or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
Is Turkey creating another European migrant crisis?
Simon Waldman/The National/March 02/2020
سيمون ولدمان: هل تقوم تركيا بإثارة أزمة هجرة جديدة إلى أوروبا
Ankara is escalating the war in Syria while using the conflict's
refugees to extort Europe
Thursday’s air strike that killed 33 Turkish soldiers in Idlib marked a
momentous escalation in the conflict between Turkish-supported forces in Syria
and the Russian-backed regime of Bashar Al Assad. Blaming Mr Al Assad for the
attack, Ankara retaliated with a range of deadly strikes of its own against
regime targets.
Turkey’s situation in Idlib is precarious to say the least. Embattled, it lacks
an endgame in Syria and is effectively fighting not only the Assad regime but
also Russia. This is despite Ankara’s concerted effort in recent years to
develop close relations with Moscow, even to the detriment of its ties with
traditional western allies. Now, it is finding itself isolated with few friends
in the international community to help it out of its Syrian quagmire.
Family members and political leaders attend funeral prayers for Halil Cankaya,
24, one of 36 Turkish soldiers killed on Thursday in a Syrian army attack in the
Idlib area of Syria, in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (
This explains why, in yet another attempt to blackmail the Europeans into
helping Ankara in its proxy war, Turkey declared on Friday that its 2016
migration deal with Europe was over, pushing many of the 3.7 million Syrian
refugees living within its borders for Greece and Bulgaria.
However, such recklessness on the part of Turkey will only anger Europe and
harden anti-Turkish attitudes among the elites there. Europe has reinforced its
borders with Turkey and taken measures to prevent migrants from entering. The
reality is that Europe’s wish to stay away from the horrors taking place in
Idlib is stronger than a few thousand refugees slipping through its borders.
Turkey should not expect significant US support – or the beginning of some kind
of rapprochement with Washington
Ankara might take heart in the initial reaction of the US. When asked about a
possible role in Syria following the attacks, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Washington’s
envoy to Nato, responded that “everything is on the table”. She even expressed
her hopes that the Turkish people will understand that the US is “the ally of
their past and their future”. Meanwhile, the influential US senator Lindsey
Graham called for a no-fly zone over Idlib, something that Ankara has wanted for
years.
Nevertheless, Turkey should not expect significant US support – or the beginning
of some kind of rapprochement with Washington.
Sure, the US along with Nato and Europe will continue to make strongly worded
statements in support of Turkey. In a symbolic act of solidarity, Nato might
offer to make one or two additional reconnaissance flights over Syria. If the
administration of Donald Trump is feeling particularly generous, Turkey could
even find itself in possession of one or two Patriot surface-to-air missile
batteries in return for some kind of concession. But that is as much support as
Turkey is likely to receive.
Despite the opinion of Senator Graham, it is highly improbable that the Trump
administration would agree to a no-fly zone over Idlib or offer any other type
of direct military support. For a no-fly zone to work, the US – either alone or
with Nato – would have to commit forces and risk a conflagration with Russia,
which will be loathed to give up its monopoly over Idlib’s skies.
President Trump, who has vowed to end “costly” wars and is about to embark on a
re-election campaign, will no doubt be risk-averse to new foreign entanglements.
Although he has sought to ease tensions with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan in recent months, he might also look to avoid having any hostilities
with Russia.
Undoubtedly, Ankara is largely to blame for the situation it finds itself in.
For years, it has treated its traditional allies with disdain and ignored their
security concerns. This includes turning a blind eye to ISIS militants entering
Syria through Turkey, subverting the Iranian sanctions act of the US Congress
through a Turkish state-owned bank, threatening to revoke Nato’s use of Turkish
bases, purchasing the S-400 missile system from Russia despite repeated warnings
of the security risks, and refusing to back Nato’s plans for the defence of the
Baltics ahead of last December’s Nato summit, to name just a few examples.
Turkey’s isolation is the consequence of Ankara’s foolhardy policy of alienating
the West while over-committing itself in the grinding Syrian civil war. Without
strong allies, it will have little choice but to swallow the bitter pill and
accept Russia’s terms for a temporary ceasefire, which will serve to consolidate
the recent gains made by Mr Al Assad in Idlib.
Then, instead of taking ownership of their reckless policies, Mr Erdogan and his
inner circle will declare this yet another example of Turkey being abandoned by
the West.
*Simon Waldman is an associate fellow at the Henry Jackson Society and a
visiting research fellow at King's College London.