A Bundle Of English Reports, News and Editorials For January 01/2020 Addressing the On Going Mass Demonstrations & Sit In-ins In Iranian Occupied Lebanon in its 76th Day
Compiled By: Elias Bejjani
January 01/2020
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News published on January 01/2020
Resolutions For the new year of 2020/Elias Bejjani/January 01/2020
Aoun addressing delegation of retired officers: I am optimistic that we can get out of the current crisis
Contracts of Cellular Companies Not Extended
Ashkar: Lebanon’s Hotel Industry Falters
Protesters march through Tripoli streets
Information and Communications Parliamentary Committee unanimously agrees not to extend cellular companies’ contracts
Civil movement welcomes Communications Parliamentary Committee’s decisions
Hassan Khalil: Extension of cell phone companies’ mandate originally rejected by me
Druze Sheikh meets UNIFIL Commander, hails force’s endeavors in south Lebanon
Report: Political Parties Agree on Cabinet of 18 Portfolios
Report: ‘Shiite Duo’ Agrees to Formation of Technocrat Govt.
A Bundle Of E/A Reports Addressing The Arrival Of Ex-Nissan boss Ghosn to Lebanon After Fleeing His Arrest In Japan.
Ghosn’s Escape Leaves Japan Red-Faced
Ex-Nissan boss Ghosn flees to Lebanon, calls Japan’s justice system ‘rigged’
Ghosn fled Japan in a musical instrument box: MTV
French Official ‘Very Surprised’ after Ghosn Flees Japan
Ghosn lawyers still in possession of his passports, lawyer says
Beirut says it doesn’t know how Nissan ex-boss Ghosn made it to Lebanon
Nissan ex-boss Carlos Ghosn entered Lebanon legally: Security directorate
Lebanon in 2020: How Will Hezbollah Deal with the Challenges?/Hanin Ghaddar/Al Arabiya/December 31/2019
Why are we on the edge of an irreversible financial meltdown?/Roger Bejjani/Face Book/December 31/2019
Lebanese demonstrators create art for a better future/Nada Richa/Annahar/December 31/2019
Details Of The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News published on January 01/2020
Resolutions For the new year of 2020
Elias Bejjani/January 01/2020
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/81879/elias-bejjani-resolutions-for-the-new-year-of-2020/
How healthy and fruitful would it be if each and every one of us is fully ready to welcome the new year of 2010 with a clear conscience and a joyful reconciliation with himself/herself, as well and with all others, especially those who are the beloved ones, e.g, parents, family members, friends, etc.
How self gratifying would be for any faithful and wise person to enter the new year of 2020 and he/she is completely free from all past heavy and worrying loads of hostility, hatred, enmities, grudges, strives and jealousy.
And because our life is very short on this mortal-perishable earthly world.
And due to fact that, Our Heavenly Father, Almighty God may at any moment take back His Gift of life from any one of us.
Because of all these solid facts and realities, we are ought to leave behind all the 2019 hardships, pains and disappointments with no regrets at all.
We are ought to happily welcome and enter the 2010 new year with a totally empty page of our lives….ready for a new start.
Hopefully, every wise, loving, caring and faithful person would feel better in striving to begin this new year of 2020 with love, forgiveness, faith, hope, extended hands, open heart, and self-confidence.
Happy, Happy new Year
Aoun addressing delegation of retired officers: I am optimistic that we can get out of the current crisis
NNA /December 31/2019
Pesident of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, expressed optimism that the current crisis could be overcome, “because we are exerting all our efforts to overcome difficulties, but we always need the solidarity of the society”, hoping that the new Government will be formed in the next few days, and that the new year will carry gradual improvement to the current situation. President Aoun also pointed out that “What we are doing today is an attempt to reunite in politics to form an effective Government which addresses the international community, who wants to help us, after our sufferings from the effects of international wars in our region, foremost of which is the heavy Syrian displacement to Lebanon”, considering that the chaos which ruled the country, in the past three decades, produced the explosion that took place today, due to the inability of people to bear anymore. “If the crisis remains the same and citizens protest without any calmness, then the crisis will worsen, because permanent protest in the street and closure of roads disrupts the rest of our production” President Aoun said. President Aoun’s stances came during his meeting with a group of retired officers, who came to congratulate him on the occasion of feasts and to discuss the current situation. At the beginning of the meeting, Brigadier General Abdullah Al-Khoury spoke on behalf of the group and said: “This group that you have received in the past, has grown today and now includes officers from all Lebanese regions.Today, we extend from your Excellency the most sincere emotions on the occasion of Christmas and the New Year. We have full confidence that you surround all the scourges that afflicted the homeland, and our confidence is greater in you, as the people touched it through the course of your struggle, that you have all the determination to address these scourges. It is the dream of every honorable citizen to emerge at the dawn of reforms as soon as possible, with the formation of a new Government that gives confidence to people by starting reform measures immediately. We feel that we have a surplus of freedom and a lack of a sense of responsibility, in this country, but we have great confidence that you have every possibility to limit the impact of this on the difficult rescue operation, especially after the situation has reached this grasp so that the army is exposed to stone throwing from its people. People, all people, seemed to feel the coming days with intense fear and panic, when the catastrophic living conditions that we had not witnessed for more than a hundred years reached us. We repeat that none of us has the desire for a position or a job, but each of us is ready to do any service to the country in this difficult circumstance, and without charge, if you see that you need competencies from among us. All peoples, sir, dream, and we also have a great dream, that all restrictions of corruption, in all its forms, will be broken at your hand and during your era, so that your efforts may be completed with results that benefit the following generations, since you represent the icon of salvation that was established in the hearts of people long ago”.
President Michel Aoun received MPs: Roger Azar, Salim El-Khoury, and Hekmat Dib, who briefed him on the law proposals which they intend to present to the Parliament, as a part of practical anti-corruption measures.MPs briefed the President on the law proposals which they intend to present to the House of Representatives in the framework of activating the anti-corruption process, and to complete the proposals previously made by MPs of “Strong Lebanon” bloc. The President received the Secretary of the Leading Committee of the Independent Nasserite Movement (Al-Mourabitoun), Brigadier General Mustafa Hamdan, and discussed with him current developments.
Contracts of Cellular Companies Not Extended
Naharnet/December 31/2019
Caretaker Minister of Finance, Ali Hassan Khalil, on Tuesday said that he had refused the extension of Lebanon’s state-owned operating cell phone companies’ mandate shortly before the Media and Communications Parliamentary Committee convened and rejected the extension.
“Someone has ignorantly or deliberately spread a rumor saying that the Minister of Finance has inked a mandate extension decree for cell phone companies,” Khalil said in a tweet. “The news fabricated and unfounded and the entire idea of extension has been originally rejected by me,” he added. The Media and Communications Committee announced that contracts of the two Lebanese cellular companies Alpha and Touch had not been extended.Groups of protesters have gathered outside the Parliament in line with the meeting in an attempt to voice objection against the extension.
Ashkar: Lebanon’s Hotel Industry Falters
Naharnet/December 31/2019
With Lebanon suffering from an unprecedented economic crisis, the head of the hotel owners association Pierre Ashkar said the hotel sector falters as sales slow. “Most of Lebanon’s hotels are currently partially closed, large parts of hotels are shut down,” he told al-Joumhouria. He said the activity during the festive season was not enough for the sector to survive. While the head of restaurant owners, Tony el-Rami revealed that “around 500 restaurants in Lebanon have closed their businesses as of December 2019,” warning that the number will likely grow in the as of the beginning of the year. In addition, a new crisis will emerge related to the import of consumer goods in 2020, said the daily, because a vanishing ability of traders to import goods in light of strict banking procedures and the high prices of the dollar in the parallel market.
Protesters march through Tripoli streets
NNA/December 31/2019
A march has set off through the various streets of Tripoli, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister-designate Dr. Hassan Diab, NNA Correspondent reported Tuesday. Protesters raised the Lebanese flags, calling for the dismissal of confessionalism and sectarianism and the restoration of public looted money. Tehran has been warning that as of January their uranium enrichment will rise above 4.5%, using new technology banned by the nuclear deal. This could be the moment European signatories decide to join the U.S. sanctions, leaving all options for further conflict open and presenting an opportunity for preventive measures to be taken by either Israel, the United States or some other player.
Information and Communications Parliamentary Committee unanimously agrees not to extend cellular companies’ contracts
NNA/December 31/2019
The Information and Communications Parliamentary Committee convened this Tuesday at the Parliament, chaired by MP Hussein Hajj Hasan. The meeting was attended by Caretaker Minister of Telecommunications Mohammad Choucair, and Committee members. Speaking in the wake of the meeting, the chair of Committee, MP Hajj Hassan announced that the Committee has unanimously agreed not to extend the contracts of both of Lebanon’s cell phone companies. The Lawmaker also announced that the Committee has unanimously recommended to start measures to restore the management of this sector to the state within 60 days.
Civil movement welcomes Communications Parliamentary Committee’s decisions
NNA/December 31/2019
The Civil Movement has welcomed the decisions taken by the Information and Communications Parliamentary Committee during its session this Tuesday at the Parliament. It is to note that groups of protesters have gathered outside the House of Parliament to voice objection against the extension of the mandate of both of Lebanon’s cell phone companies. The sit-in coincided with the meeting of the Information and Communications Parliamentary Committee.
Hassan Khalil: Extension of cell phone companies’ mandate originally rejected by me
NNA/December 31/2019
Caretaker Minister of Finance, Ali Hassan Khalil, on Tuesday said via his twitter account that he had refused the extension of Lebanon’s operating cell phone companies’ mandate. “Someone has ignorantly or deliberately spread a rumor saying that the Minister of Finance has inked a mandate extension decree for cell phone companies,” the Minister tweeted. “By the way, not only is this news fabricated and unfounded, but the entire idea of extension has been originally rejected by me,” he added.
Druze Sheikh meets UNIFIL Commander, hails force’s endeavors in south Lebanon
NNA/December 31/2019
Druze Sheikh, Naiim Hassan, on Tuesday welcomed United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Major-General, Stefano Del Col, accompanied by UNIFIL spokesperson, Andrea Tenenti. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the general situation in Lebanon, especially in the Southern region and along the Blue Line. Sheikh Hassan had also briefed by Del Col on the most recent developments, especially with regard to a number of outstanding issues involving the border line and the tasks of the United Nations forces in this regard. In this context, Sheikh Hassan hailed UNIFIL’s efforts to maintain peace in south Lebanon.
Report: Political Parties Agree on Cabinet of 18 Portfolios
Naharnet/December 31/2019
Political parties have agreed on excluding former ministers from the new government, but according to leaked reports the new line-up is a “disguised” ministerial quota naming 18 non-partisan figures equally divided between Muslims and Christians, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Tuesday. According to the daily the government will be composed of: 9 Christian ministers: 4 Maronite, 3 Orthodox, one Catholic, one Armenian. Some of the names presented were Demianos Qattar (Maronite) and Wadih al-Absi (Orthodox). 9 Musim ministers: 4 Shiite, 4 Sunni, one Druze. The daily said that Shiite figures nominated are economic expert Ghazi Wazni who could be named as finance minister, Abdul Halim Fadlallah and Aliaa al-Moqdar. Names suggested for the Sunni quota are: Tarek Majzoub, Abdulrahman al-Bizri, Othman Sultan (Telecommunications ministry), retired brigadier Army general Basem Khaled, or retired Marine Brigadier Hosni Daher (to the Ministry of Interior). Ghassan al-Aridi is suggested to represent the Druze community.
Report: ‘Shiite Duo’ Agrees to Formation of Technocrat Govt.
Naharnet/December 31/2019
Hizbullah and the AMAL Movement have agreed with Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab on the formation of a purely technocrat government, sources close to Diab said. “The government will not comprise figures from the outgoing government,” the sources added in remarks to al-Jadeed TV.
“The government’s line-up has reached the stage of the final selection of some names and a large number of portfolios and candidates have been finalized,” the sources said. As for the representation of women, the sources said there will be five to seven female ministers. Three candidates are meanwhile being considered for the interior portfolio and it will likely go to a retired officer who hails from Akkar while the telecom portfolio will be allocated to a figure from Tripoli, the sources added. Revealing that Hizbullah and AMAL have agreed with Diab on “the principle of a technocrat government,” the sources said economic expert Ghazi Wazni has agreed to be named as finance minister while Ziad Baroud will be appointed justice minister and Demianos Qattar will be named foreign minister. “The PM-designate has met with all those nominated to become ministers and President Michel Aoun has largely cooperated with the PM-designate and he was positive and did not cling to any candidate,” the sources added. Noting that the government might be formed in the early days of 2020 pending the arrival of some would-be ministers from abroad, the sources said the issue of merging some portfolios is the last point that is being mulled.
A Bundle Of E/A Reports Addressing The Arrival Of Ex-Nissan boss Ghosn to Lebanon After Fleeing His Arrest In Japan.
Ghosn’s Escape Leaves Japan Red-Faced
Agence France Presse/Naharnet//Tuesday, 31 December 2019
How could one of the most high-profile and instantly recognisable tycoons on Earth escape Japan just months before his trial, when his bail conditions strictly forbade him from leaving the country? That’s the question being asked in Japan, where Carlos Ghosn’s abrupt departure and arrival in Lebanon is being seen as an embarrassing lapse in security. The 65-year-old, who holds Brazilian, French and Lebanese passports, had all three confiscated as part of his bail conditions as he prepared to defend himself against multiple charges of financial misconduct. One of his lawyers, Junichiro Hironaka, confirmed to reporters that they still had them in their possession, confessing he was “dumbfounded” at the news of his client’s flight — which he heard about via the media. Public broadcaster NHK cited an anonymous source as saying the Immigration Services Agency had no record of a Carlos Ghosn leaving the country, and authorities were reviewing whether he left using another name. NHK also quoted a foreign ministry official as insisting: “He was not supposed to leave the country. Had we known about it beforehand, we would have reported that to proper law enforcement authorities.”
“If this development is true, it would be a matter between the legal authorities of the two countries,” the official added.
Taichiro Motoe, a lawmaker from Shinzo Abe’s ruling Liberal Democrat Party (LDP), said the news had come as a “shock” and called for “swift and effective” improvements. Another LDP lawmaker, Masahisa Sato, said: “If this is true, it was not ‘departing the country’, it was an illegal departure and an escape, and this itself is a crime. “Was there help extended by an unnamed country? It is also a serious problem that Japan’s system allowed an illegal departure so easily,” complained Sato, also a former state minister for foreign affairs. Although there is no extradition agreement between Japan and Lebanon, the two have diplomatic ties, with a deputy Japanese foreign minister visiting Beirut 10 days ago.
‘Political persecution’
It is also another blow for the reputation of Japan’s justice system, which came under widespread fire both at home and abroad during Ghosn’s detention for provisions that allow suspects to be held for long periods. Amnesty International has accused Japan’s justice system of creating an environment of “aggressive interrogations” that “risk producing forced confessions and false convictions”.Ghosn and his family had repeatedly attacked this “hostage justice system”, and he said in a statement released after his arrival in Lebanon that he was not fleeing justice but had “escaped injustice and political persecution”.
He has now vowed to give his side of the story, and Nobuo Gohara — a former elite prosecutor who now runs his own private practice — told AFP this could pose a problem for the prosecution, accused by Ghosn’s defence team of several illegal steps. “One thing is for sure. For prosecutors, this presents a significant and serious situation. Nissan must be afraid. Prosecutors are also afraid,” said Gohara, who has been outspoken in his criticism of the handling of the case. “The defence team have completely lost face. They promised he would stay in Japan as a condition of his bail,” added Gohara. The Lebanese government would be unlikely to extradite him even if there was a treaty between the two countries, Gohara said. One of the reasons authorities used to justify his lengthy detention was that he was a potential flight risk. At a hearing on January 8 to rule on his continued custody, presiding Judge Yuichi Tada said Ghosn was being detained because he was a flight risk and there was a possibility he would conceal evidence.The suspect has “bases in foreign countries” and may “escape”, Tada said. But Go Kondo, one of Ghosn’s lawyers at the time, countered: “There is no risk that he will run away. He’s CEO of French company Renault. He’s widely known so it’s difficult for him to escape.”
Ex-Nissan boss Ghosn flees to Lebanon, calls Japan’s justice system ‘rigged’
Reuters, Tokyo/Tuesday, 31 December 2019
Ousted Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn confirmed he fled to Lebanon, saying he wouldn’t be “held hostage” by a “rigged” justice system and raising questions about how one of the world’s most-recognized executives escaped Japan months before his trial.
Ghosn’s abrupt departure marks the latest dramatic twist in a year-old saga that has shaken the global auto industry, jeopardized the alliance of Nissan Motor Co Ltd and top shareholder Renault SA and cast a harsh light on Japan’s judicial system. “I am now in Lebanon and will no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system where guilt is presumed, discrimination is rampant, and basic human rights are denied,” Ghosn, 65, said in a brief statement on Tuesday.
“I have not fled justice – I have escaped injustice and political persecution. I can now finally communicate freely with the media, and look forward to starting next week.”Most immediately, it was unclear how Ghosn, who holds French, Brazilian and Lebanese citizenship, was able to orchestrate his departure from Japan, given that he had been under strict surveillance by authorities while out on bail and had surrendered his passports.
Japanese immigration authorities had no record of Ghosn leaving the country, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said. A person resembling Ghosn entered Beirut international airport under a different name after flying in aboard a private jet, NHK reported, citing an unidentified Lebanese security official. His lawyers were still in possession of his three passports, one of his lawyers, Junichiro Hironaka, told reporters in comments broadcast live by NHK. Hironaka said the first he had heard of Ghosn’s departure was on the news this morning and that he was surprised. He also said it was “inexcusable behavior.”While Ghosn’s arrest on financial misconduct charges last year ensured his dramatic fall from grace in Japan, he retains more popularity in Lebanon, where billboards saying “We are all Carlos Ghosn” were erected in his support and he at one time featured on a postage stamp. Born in Brazil, Ghosn is of Lebanese ancestry and grew up in Beirut. He has retained close ties to the country. A spokeswoman for the Lebanese embassy in Tokyo said “we did not receive any information” on the matter. Calls to the Brazilian embassy went unanswered. A French embassy spokesman in Tokyo declined to comment.
Flight risk
Ghosn was arrested at a Tokyo airport shortly after his private jet touched down on November 19, 2018. He faces four charges – which he denies – including hiding income and enriching himself through payments to dealerships in the Middle East. Nissan sacked him as chairman saying internal investigations revealed misconduct ranging from understating his salary while he was its chief executive, and transferring $5 million of Nissan funds to an account in which he had an interest. The case cast a harsh light on Japan’s criminal justice system, which allows suspects to be detained for long periods and prohibits defense lawyers from being present during interrogations that can last eight hours a day. Tokyo officials say the system is not inhumane and that Ghosn has been treated like any other suspect. He was released from prison in March on a $9 million bail, among the highest-ever paid in Japan. His movement and communications have been monitored and restricted to prevent his fleeing the country and tampering with evidence, the Tokyo District court previously said.
House arrest
The Financial Times on Monday said Ghosn was no longer under house arrest. Citing an associate of Ghosn, the newspaper said the former executive landed at Beirut’s Rafic al-Hariri international airport late on Sunday. Ghosn traveled to Lebanon via Turkey, arriving on Monday, The Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter. One unidentified person told the newspaper Ghosn did not believe he would get a fair trial in Japan and was “tired of being an industrial political hostage”.A person familiar with Nissan’s thinking told Reuters, “I think he gave up fighting the prosecutors in court.”Ghosn has said he is the victim of a boardroom coup, accusing former Nissan colleagues of “backstabbing” and describing them as selfish rivals bent on derailing closer ties between the Japanese automaker and its biggest shareholder Renault, of which Ghosn was also chairman. His lawyers have asked the court to dismiss all charges, accusing prosecutors of colluding with government officials and Nissan executives to oust him to block any takeover by Renault. Ghosn began his career in 1978 at tire maker Michelin. In 1996, he moved to Renault where he oversaw a turnaround that won him the nickname “Le Cost Killer.”After Renault sealed an alliance with Nissan in 1999, Ghosn used similar methods to revive the ailing brand, leading to business super-star status in Japan, blanket media coverage and even a manga comic book on his life.
Ghosn fled Japan in a musical instrument box: MTV
Matthew Amlôt, Al Arabiya English/Tuesday, 31 December 2019
Ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn fled Japan hidden inside a box intended to transfer musical instruments, according to Lebanese television station MTV. A band of musicians entered his home in Japan under the pretense that they would provide the entertainment during dinner. After leaving the party, Ghosn had hidden inside one of the musical instrument’s boxes before departing Japan via a local airport. MTV added that Ghosn had been in Lebanon for many hours before the news of his escape from Japan was made public. Japan’s ambassador to Lebanon was informed of his arrival in the country after being contacted by MTV, the station said. “I am now in Lebanon and will no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system where guilt is presumed, discrimination is rampant, and basic human rights are denied,” Ghosn said in a statement on Tuesday. “I have not fled justice – I have escaped injustice and political persecution. I can now finally communicate freely with the media, and look forward to starting next week,” he added. MTV also reported that Ghosn entered Lebanon “legally” on his French passport, and authorities saw no reason to prevent his entry, citing an official source. This contravenes statements made earlier on Tuesday by Ghosn’s lawyer that they were still in possession of his three passports as required by the terms of his bail. Junichiro Hironaka, Ghosn’s lawyer, added that his client’s actions were “inexcusable.”
French Official ‘Very Surprised’ after Ghosn Flees Japan
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/December 31/2019
A senior official at France’s economy ministry on Tuesday said she was “very surprised” by the flight of former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn from Japan to Lebanon, emphasising he was not above the law. Ghosn said he had fled to Lebanon to escape injustice in Japan, where he was on bail awaiting trial on financial misconduct charges. “I am very surprised. I found out from the media yesterday (Monday) evening,” the state secretary at France’s economy and finance ministry Agnes Pannier-Runacher told France Inter radio. “As Mr Ghosn is a citizen like anyone else he is not above the law,” she added. “We need to understand exactly what happened,” said Pannier-Runacher, the number two at the ministry led by Bruno Le Maire. It was not clear how Ghosn managed to leave Japan, as his bail conditions prevented him from exiting the country where he had been held since his sudden arrest in November 2018 sent shockwaves through the business world.
Ghosn lawyers still in possession of his passports, lawyer says
Reuters, Tokyo/Tuesday, 31 December 2019
Ousted Nissan Motor Co boss Carlos Ghosn’s three passports were held by his lawyers and he could not have used any of them to escape Japan, one of the lawyers told reporters on Tuesday, adding that his client’s actions were “inexcusable”. Junichiro Hironaka, speaking to reporters in comments broadcast live by Japan’s NHK, said his lawyers were holding his French, Brazilian and Lebanese passports, as required by the terms of his bail. Ghosn on Tuesday confirmed he fled to Lebanon, saying he wouldn’t be “held hostage” by a “rigged” justice system and raising questions about how one of the world’s most-recognized executives escaped Japan months before his trial.
Beirut says it doesn’t know how Nissan ex-boss Ghosn made it to Lebanon
Reuters, Beirut/Tuesday, 31 December 2019
The Lebanese government does not know how Nissan ex-boss Carlos Ghosn made it from Japan, where he was due to be tried for financial misconduct, to Lebanon, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Lebanon sent official correspondence on Ghosn to Japan a year ago without receiving a reply, and a full file was shared with Japan’s assistant foreign minister in Beirut a few days ago, the ministry statement said. It said Lebanon does not have a judicial cooperation agreement with Japan, but shared the information as part of a United Nations agreement on fighting corruption.
Nissan ex-boss Carlos Ghosn entered Lebanon legally: Security directorate
Reuters, Beirut/Tuesday, 31 December 2019
Nissan ex-boss Carlos Ghosn entered Lebanon legally and will not face any legal consequences, Lebanon’s General Directorate of General Security said on Tuesday, according to the state news agency NNA. Ghosn arrived in Beirut on Monday after slipping out of Japan months before a high-profile trial for financial misconduct, which he said was part of a “rigged” system that had held him hostage. Ghosn denies the charges.
Lebanon in 2020: How Will Hezbollah Deal with the Challenges?
حنين غدار/لبنان في العام 2020 : هل سيتعامل حزب الله مع التحديات
Hanin Ghaddar/Al Arabiya/December 31/2019
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/81905/%d8%ad%d9%86%d9%8a%d9%86-%d8%ba%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%86%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b9%d8%a7%d9%85-2020-%d9%87%d9%84-%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%aa%d8%b9%d8%a7%d9%85%d9%84-%d8%ad/
Almost three months into the popular uprising in Lebanon, all eyes are now on the recently nominated Prime Minister Hassan Diab – who was chosen by Lebanese Hezbollah – and the main question seem to be whether he is capable of forming a new government or not. The political scene is busy with behind the door consultations and meetings to make sure an agreement between concerned political parties is reached. However, for both the street and the international community, this is all pointless. Whether Diab succeeds in forming a government or not, the main problem – that is the near economic collapse and bankruptcy of the state – will not be resolved anytime soon.
The main reason for the absence of any positive resolution is the fact Diab – or any other prime minister that the current authorities would chose – is not going to gain the trust of the streets or the international community. Without that trust, Lebanon will not be able to receive the financial bailout needed to save it from collapse.
In early 2020, it will become clearer that Lebanon is headed to become a failed state, with all what this entails in terms of financial disasters, humanitarian catastrophes and security threats. This seems the only conceivable path forward; therefore, it is not naïve to ask the question: don’t the people in power understand the implications of holding on to power?
The people in power are many, including all sectarian leaders, Speaker of the House Nabih Berri, President Michel Aoun, and his son-in-law Gebran Bassil – all Hezbollah allies, which says a lot about who is really the authority in Lebanon today. Back in 2018, when Hezbollah celebrated its victory in the parliamentary elections, and moved ahead with a Hezbollah-majority government, its Iranian sponsors probably did not fathom that this victory will entail such challenges.
For Iran and Hezbollah today, no matter what they do, they will have to compromise or lose. If they let go of their power and allow a capable and credible government to take over, they will lose their valued access to state institutions. If they hold on to power – as it seems they are doing with Diab – they will have to deal with the economic challenges that will cost them whatever popular support they have left, or privileges within the state that they enjoy.
What Hezbollah hasn’t realized yet is that the revolution – although it hasn’t toppled anything besides the former government – has achieved two main goals: one, the realization of a vibrant non-sectarian popular rhetoric that will no longer accept the sectarian system that has been dominating for the past hundred years, and two, exposure of Hezbollah’s failure at governing.
For three decades, Hezbollah has attained power in Lebanon by protecting sectarian leaders and making deals with corrupt politicians. What Hezbollah forgot to do is come up with a socio-economic vision for Lebanon beyond the military strategies and power games. Hezbollah failed and the Lebanese people – including the Shia community – today understand this. With the economic difficulties and international pressure, food on the table is becoming more important than fighting Israel or occupying Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Hezbollah will be challenged with these shifting priorities.
So how is Hezbollah going to deal with these challenges in 2020?
On the short term, Hezbollah only wants to move forward with a new government – whether under Diab or Hariri in case Diab failed – and see how the international community reacts. Hezbollah hopes that the international community will be more concerned with instability in Lebanon and will rush to financially aid whatever government is formed.
On the long-term, Hezbollah hopes that the Democratic Party in the US will win the presidential elections in 2020 and sanctions on Iran will be eased. That way, money will flood back to Hezbollah, and its own financial crisis, that is costing the party support and resources to manage the crisis, will not be a problem.
However, in the improbable scenario that these two wishes were granted, Hezbollah will still have to deal with the fact that the Lebanese people are no longer buying the resistance rhetoric. Therefore, even if Hezbollah manages to miraculously recover from the economic and international challenges, the Lebanese no longer trust the party and its corrupt allies. Hezbollah cannot win the next parliamentary elections, form a government, or maintain access to state institutions, without its allies.
As all eyes are today on the current process of government formation, the Lebanese people and the international community need to stress the parliamentary elections in order for Lebanon to move to the next phase. Calling for early elections – based on a non-sectarian and modern electoral law – should be the principal demand in 2020. This is the only way to translate the street’s rhetoric into a new representative parliament, which will produce a new credible government and president.
*Hanin Ghaddar is the inaugural Friedmann Visiting Fellow at The Washington Institute’s Geduld Program on Arab Politics, where she focuses on Shia politics throughout the Levant. She tweets @haningdr.
Why are we on the edge of an irreversible financial meltdown??
Roger Bejjani/Face Book/December 31/2019
The combined signs of such a meltdown are:
1. A national debt exceeding 155% of our GDP (3rd country worldwide after Japan and Greece).
2. A dramatically negative balance of payment during the past 9 years (outflow of hard currency exceeding by 10 folds the in-flow).
3. Shrinking foreign currency reserves of the BDL exposing Lebanon to a possible default of payment (not yet happened contrary to Greece).
4. Adverse rating by international rating agencies.
5. Lack of confidence in Lebanon’s potential.
6. Rush of depositors to Banks asking for their savings.
7. No clear business model for Lebanon.
Who’s responsible?
The USD 85 billions national debt was accumulated since the early 90’ due to 3 main items of expenditures:
1. The post war(s) Electricity reconstruction and chronic deficit due to (i) unpaid bills by some Lebanese; (ii) a production cost exceeding per kilowatt the billing cost to the end user; (iii) subsidized to industries.
In 1994 Rafic Hariri has started suggesting that the only way out from this abyss was to fully or partially privatize EDL. By doing so getting rid of USD 2 billion deficits a year financed by the national budget. A mafia of corrupt people headed by the Syrians objected Hariri’s move towards privatizing EDL on the base of socialistic and nationalistic idiotic arguments. Jomblat, Berri and the communists of course fiercely opposed it. Siniora, Finance Minister at that time has dared raising some questions to Elie Hobeika Minister of Energy at that time; As a response Sinora’s questions the latter was slapped by Hobeika in the cabinet of Ministers. That was the prevailing ambiance. 3 or 4 persons/parties including Ghazi Kanaan were benefiting from the fuel oil import trade and any full or partial privatization would have deprived them from this regular income. Not only Rafic Hariri’s plan never saw the light of the day, but Electricity started to get rationed again and Lebanese were paying a double cost (EDL and private generators). This has been dragging for the past 27 years.
The EDL deficit represents (including interest) about USD 50 billion out of the USD 85 billion national debt (70.5%).
2. Funds paid to squatters/”refugees”
An open extortion was orchestrated by mainly 2 political parties to pressure their constituencies to vacate the occupied squats in Beirut and in the Mountain. Indemnities have reached billions in USD throughout the years.
3. Political employment in the public sector
It is estimated that the number of unnecessary state paid employees is around 30,000 (including public schools teachers). Those employments were imposed on Hariri mainly by Berri and later by the Aounists. The cost of such unnecessary politically driven employment is in the range of USD 600 million a year.
Those 3 items have initiated the public debt (nearly non existent in the early 90’) which has snow balled since.
The state apparatus and administration was suffering from other endemic corruptions; however, it was business as usual and the rest of the corruption and mismanagement have not been the cause of the gigantic public debt. A dependent Justice was complicit to the corruption and mismanagement.
The only 3 ways known to mankind in coping with national debts and budget deficits are:
a. Issuing of treasury bonds (it was done mostly locally and debt was financed until today in its greatest majority by local banks. Our external debt remaining trivial as at 2019).
b. Raise taxes. Siniora and his team have introduced the modern revenue and profit tax system as well the VAT system. That is why Siniora is hated that much.
c. Grow the economy. The question of Hanoi or Hong Kong was politically raised. The economy could only grow in a Hong Kong like Lebanon; which was not convenient to Syria/Iran/Hezbollah.
Some have argued that Riad Salameh (BDL governor) and the local Banks should have stopped financing the government. Easy to say in retrospect. Hariri and Salameh were trapped in the system. They needed buying time while working on peace with Israel and calling on International support to getting rid of the Syrians and Hezbollah (1559)…The only other choice for them was to resign and leave the boat sinking even faster.
The BDL governor has repeatedly warned the State (its main debtor) of the spiraling deficits and public debt. This is the limit of his prerogatives. He was compelled to either continue financing the deficit or resign. In case of resignation a more docile governor would have been appointed by Lahoud. Moreover, with a positive balance of payment at that time, the situation was still manageable and Salameh could still safely navigate and control the situation until 2010.
Unfortunately the darkest business scenario has unfolded on Lebanon and the Lebanese since the assassination of Rafic Hariri by Hezbollah in 2005.
In the aftermath of the seismic effect of Rafic Hariri’s assassination, Fouad Siniora took over as PM and has masterfully managed the finances of the country until 2009 despite and through (i) the devastating 2006 war started by Hezbollah with Israel, (ii) a 2 years sit-in organized by Hezbollah and its vassals down town Beirut (iii) Nahr el Bared; (iv) a wave of political assassinations and assassination attempts; (v) the resignation of the Shi’a ministers; (vi) the tricky STL following the Der Speigel incrimination of Hezbollah in Rafic Hariri’s assassination. Despite all odds, Siniora has succeeded maintaining a very positive balance of payment, thus assisting Riad Salameh indirectly in maintaining the stability of the local currency and Lebanon’s rating (all our civil servants and armed forces being paid in LBP, the pegging of the USD to LBP has been a unanimous political decision shared by all parties).
Fouad Siniora and the 14 March political conglomerate were still trusted by the Gulf countries and the West. Money was still flowing in Lebanon.
The downfall started with the 2008 7th of May when Hezbollah has militarily subdued the Sunni and Druze Lebanese, thus leading to the breaking-up of 14 March’s will and resolve starting with the defection of Walid Jomblat. The following Doha conference secured a blocking minority to Hezbollah in the first Saad Hariri’s led government (which they did not have under Siniora’s government). The taking over operation by Hezbollah had started.
For the West and the Gulf States, the traditional friends of Lebanon, the latter was being taken over by a terrorist organization; a fierce enemy of the Arabs and the West.
Saad Harri has however succeeded in a first phase in minimizing Hezbollah’s involvement and has succeeded with France’s help and Obama’s discussions with Iran in neutralizing the Hezbollah negative perception abroad. Saad was convinced that he needed saving the boat and after 2008 7th of May he could not move without Hezbollah’s approval.
In 2011, the Syrian uprising was ignited and the Lebanese Canadian Bank was written off by the US treasury, the US DEA and other US agencies on the base of Drugs and other illicit activities money laundering charges for the account of Hezbollah.
2011 was a pivotal year that has brought all the miseries in the blackest possible scenario.
Saad Hariri was ousted by the blocking minority and a docile Mikati and a Hezbollah controlled government was brought in. Hezbollah sided with Assad against the Gulf Countries, Turkey and the West in a long and dirty Syrian war that has generated 9 million refugees knocking on neighboring countries and on Europeans doorsteps and involving billions in cost. The Syrian war has caused a hyperinflation in Turkey that has caused dramatic losses to Bank Audi (the leading Lebanese Bank) while in parallel a similar scenario in Egypt had caused Bank Audi losses as well.
The worst part was the 2 eloquent indicators: (i) our 10% growth rate during the Siniora government (2005 to 2008) has become nearly equal to 0% and (ii) a never experienced before negative balance of payment with a widening gap. In other terms way more money was leaving the country than the money coming in. Investments, bank deposits and Arab tourism (our main in-flow) have frozen due to Hezbollah taking-over of the country. It would be idiotic and futile to think that Lebanon could fill the gap of the balance of payment through exports of products manufactured in Lebanon (using imported raw material and raining our costly energy supply).
Trump taking over in 2016 has stiffened further the US administration towards Iran and its proxies and the sanctions war proved more efficient than military wars.
In 2016/2017 the BDL has thought a plan that could save the leading Lebanese Bank (Audi) while stimulating the money in-flow hence comforting our balance of payment. It came up (engineered) a sexy financial offering to Audi provided the latter brings in fresh money in the form of deposits from abroad. Salameh wanted to buy time until (i) Cedre (an international financial bailing out plan) is implemented; (ii) the oil and gas are put on track; (iii) EDL’s deficit is solved; (iv) reforms are voted and implemented; (v) Privatization of the GSM industry and EDL are organized.
Of course, he could have decided letting Audi (the leading Lebanese bank) sink and don’t get any badly needed fresh deposits. In such a case, the meltdown would have started much earlier than 2019. He took a decision and it was risky one.
Unfortunately other Banks wanted to benefit from Salameh’s engineering especially tailored for Bank Audi. Of course everyone in Lebanon wanted a piece of the cake.
In the middle of this financial wizard of Oz scenario, the moronic Lebanese politicians (ministers and parliament) have elected Aoun (a Hezbollah vassal) President and have voted 2 dangerous and fatal laws: (i) the electoral law that will on paper secure a Hezbollah parliamentarian majority; (ii) the civil servants’ salaries’ scale increase adding a huge deficit on a 0% growth economy.
Things have started smelling bad when after about 2 years the government was (i) unable to find a solution for EDL; (ii) implement serious reforms; (iii) put the oil and gas potential on a promising and trustworthy track; (iv) Postponement of Cedre. Salameh’s risky engineering have started looking even more risky in the absence of an efficient and decisive governmental action. Salameh’s main capital left was public confidence. And this confidence has started eroding.
But what could he do? Some would say: He should have resigned long time ago. Those are stupid because a more docile stooge would have replaced him (named by Hezbollah) and the meltdown would have started even earlier.
Everyone including the Lebanese people was trapped in Hezbollah’s and the Aounsits’ net.
The Jammal Trust Bank banning by the US treasury based on Hezbollah money laundering charges end of August 2019 and certain fake news suggesting that 10 other Banks were being looked at by the US treasury, has created a popular panic that led Lebanese to go to Banks withdrawing cash in USD or in LBP and then running to the nearest exchange office buying USD bank notes and storing all at home. An estimated USD 2 billions is stored in homes. In 2 months time, the cash withdrawals in both LBP and USD have equaled what is usually withdrawn in cash during 2 years. This has caused the scarcity of circulating bank notes.
It was clear that with the increasing gap in the balance of payment, the US sanctions, the 0% growth economy, the decreasing BDL reserves in foreign currency, the mediocrity of the government…and last but not least the adverse ratings by Moody and S&P, a recovery solution was seriously compromised and the last Salemeh’s asset “confidence” has been consumed nearly totally.
The up-rise of October 17 was perfectly understandable. It could have helped reverse the steam if this up-rise has not proven to be as mediocre and idiotic as the government. The up-rise primadonas have failed exploiting the genuine popular anger in leveraging a serious political agenda that could save us from the mouth of the dragon. Instead, they seemed very pleased with their none-sense PR stunts and actions and were enjoying the talk shows. They accused widely and never worked on a salvage platform. Fake news took over and since most of the people are imbeciles, fake-news always wins.
Instead of saving Lebanon, the up-rise has hastened its decomposition.
For me the responsible parties of the collapse are:
1. The Assad regime.
2. All Syrian allies in the 90’ including Jomblat at that time.
3. The Aounists.
4. Hezbollah.
5. The Lebanese who voted for the above.
Rafic Hariri, Siniora and Salameh were résistants trapped with no way out except death.
Saad Hariri proved not up to the game level required.
Samir Geagea gave in as well by promoting Aoun.
Regarding the BDL and the Banks, Lebanese have to understand few things (evidently they will not):
1. Banks and BDL were trapped by the political system. The various governments, the Syrians and later Hezbollah were in charge of all the political and budget decisions that have brought us to this situation. Banks cannot practically not lend the government.
2. If we really want rebuilding the country, we need to preserve the 2 imperfect but necessary pillars left: The Banks and the Armed Forces (including the police). In case of a total monetary collapse, the Armed forces will collapse as well. They are linked.
3. Try adapting to the necessary and unavoidable banking restrictions and stop telling none sense stories on the social media.
4. Stop sharing fake news that only idiots may believe.
Lebanese demonstrators create art for a better future
Nada Richa/Annahar/December 31/2019
Creative works capture the anger, frustration, and hope of a revolution, but are they truly a catalyst for social change?
BEIRUT: Recent years have seen a massive surge in unprecedented protests across the world, be it for political, social, economic or ecological reasons. Related protest art has become a powerful and international tool to support anti-government protests and to advocate for a vast array of human rights.
Amid widespread demonstrations across Lebanon, artists, activists, and social movements are expressing their opposition to the government and responding to the deteriorating political and economic issues through a wide range of artistic contributions.
Protest art – whether as visual artworks, posters, photographs, street art, music or street performances – has a strong presence online and in the demonstrations taking place in different Lebanese areas. The artistic contributions record the protests’ major moments, capturing the anger, frustration, and hope of the revolution.
In this context, social media is playing a crucial role by creating an alternative space for people to engage in the protests, through acts like spreading slogans, photographs, and artworks, leading to a memorable virtual revolution supporting the demonstrations.
Protest art has played an important role throughout history. However, opinions remain divided on whether art is a catalyst for social change, as it is sometimes referred to as “media stunts”, aiming to get media attention rather than translating to action worthy of notice.
A recent study by Birmingham University focused on the 2015 Beirut trash protests’ performative and emotive acts, such as hunger strikes, street art, slogans, cartoons, music, storming the environment ministry, and blogs. According to the research’s interviews on the understanding of “social change”, there was a significant emphasis on social change as a process as opposed to outcome, and a holistic embodied lived experience of acting. The importance of changing attitudes and behaviors at the individual level was also highlighted while acknowledging the integrated nature of social change with changes at the macro-level, such as changes in the law and political changes.
The interviewees, which included activists, members of human rights NGOs, artists and members of trash movement protests, described the performative and emotive acts taking place during Beirut’s trash protests as a commitment to an ongoing process, rather than expecting an immediate “result”.
These performative and emotive acts make people inclusive, where they feel their voice and opinion matter regardless of the sectarianism and political barriers existing in a diversified country like Lebanon. They also create new knowledge, enable silenced voices to be heard and shed light on important topics and social injustices invisible to the corrupted government.
Each revolution has a unique impact and outcomes, although both the 2015 Beirut trash protest and the ongoing protest began as a reaction to particular events, be it the waste crisis or the planned taxes on online calls, tobacco, and gasoline. Both revolutions also express the people’s hopelessness with political corruption, business interests and the cost of living. Besides, the performative acts and the artistic contributions that happened in both revolutions reflect a commitment to an ongoing process hoping for a better future, as opposed to expecting immediate results.
Where the arts thrive, freedom of expression thrives. The protest art we are witnessing is raising the voice of the marginalized and drawing attention to important issues long neglected by the Lebanese government. Regardless of the revolution’s political and economic outcomes, the Lebanese people’s solidarity and artistic contributions are new contributions to the artistic and revolutionary expression to the history of Lebanon.
