A Bundle Of English Reports, News and Editorials For 03-04/2020 Addressing the On Going Mass Demonstrations & Sit In-ins In Iranian Occupied Lebanon in its 110th Day
Compiled By: Elias Bejjani
February 04/2020
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on February 03-04/2020
Al Raei Is The Wrong Man In The Wrong Position/Elias Bejjani/February 02/2020
Lebanon Banks Tighten Withdrawal Caps, Sparking Outcry
Aoun holds political, diplomatic meetings at Presidential Palace
Berri signs 2020 budget law
Diab chairs Ministerial Statement Committee’s meeting
Diab inks 2020 budget, refers it to presidency
Diab meets Wahhab and Al-Kharafi, chairs financial meeting
Report: Schenker to Visit Lebanon after Govt. Confidence Vote
Probe of Lebanese-American Who Worked For Israel Postponed
Questioning of Amer Fakhoury Postponed over Health Reasons
Foreign Ministry’s Director of Political, Consular Affairs tackles developments with Turkish Ambassador
Hitti from KSA: Lebanon Adheres to Arab Peace Initiative
Lebanese Banks Slash Dollar Withdrawal Limit by Half
Geagea: LF to Attend Sessions but Won’t Grant Confidence to Govt.
Panel Finalizes Policy Statement, Govt. to Approve It Thursday
Rabih al-Zein to be Released on Bail as Other Activists Questioned
Activist Rabih al Zein released on bail
Minister of Health says following up on ship coming from Far East, confirms no virus symptoms among crew members
Rahi meets Maronite League delegation
Gold and Bentleys: Lebanese Spend Big to Salvage Savings
Gold and Bentleys: Lebanese Spend Big to Salvage Savings
Hasan Says Coronavirus Doesn’t Survive on Mail from China
Abdullah: Democratic Gathering Bloc to Withhold Confidence Vote
National Bloc: Ministerial Statement written by demonstrators this past weekend
Details Of The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorial published on February 03-04/2020
Al Raei Is The Wrong Man In The Wrong Position
Elias Bejjani/February 02/2020
Alraei sadly has no specialised and neutral educated advisers and accordingly all his stances and rhetoric unstudied statements are impulsive, very superficial, questionable and lacks all that is common sense, wisdom and a vision to secure the interstates of Lebanon as a free and independent state. He is detached from all that is logic and reason. I strongly believe that he is the wrong man in the wrong position… He has a very poor vision and apparently his tongue always is distanced from his mind.
Lebanon Banks Tighten Withdrawal Caps, Sparking Outcry
Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 3 February, 2020
Major banks in Lebanon began tightening banking controls this month, halving the amount of dollars depositors are allowed to withdraw every month, despite growing public anger. Faced with a dollar liquidity crunch, banks have imposed informal controls on dollar withdrawals and transfers abroad since September amid widespread anti-government protests and Lebanon’s worst economic crisis in decades. Withdrawal limits differ from bank to bank, but have so far generally been capped at around $1,000 a month, while most transfers abroad have been halted. Some banks have now imposed even tighter restrictions.Three major banks contacted by AFP on Monday said they have halved the dollar withdrawal limit since the beginning of February, some capping the amount at $600 a month. Several banks have allowed slightly larger allowances to depositors who have more than $100,000 in their accounts, customers said on social media. But even depositors who have more than one million dollars in their accounts can’t withdraw more than 2,000 to 3,000 a month. The informal controls have sparked public outrage in protest-hit Lebanon, where an anti-government street movement launched on October 17 has grown increasingly angry at banking policies. “These new illegal measures by banks come with the political blessing of the new government,” said activist Lucien Bourjeily. The new cabinet, which was formed last month, is expected this week to outline its financial rescue plan. Experts and demonstrators say banking controls amount to a de facto “haircut” on savings because they are forcing dollar depositors to deal in the nosediving Lebanese pound. The currency has plunged against the greenback on the parallel exchange market, though the official peg of 1,507 pounds to the dollar in place since 1997 remains unchanged. Central bank chief Riad Salameh last month said that he agreed with money exchange houses to cap the parallel rate at 2,000 — but several exchanges continue to charge rates edging towards 2,200. Salameh last month asked for special powers to authorize the banks to set withdrawal limits, which had not formally been backed by the government. The finance ministry, however, has yet to publicly respond to his request.
Aoun holds political, diplomatic meetings at Presidential Palace
NNA/February 03/2020
President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, stressed on the importance of education in societies “Since education teaches social values and the concept of affiliation, and belonging to the homeland”. The President also stressed the importance of directing students to vocational education, especially in the task which the Lebanese society needs, and reiterated work to combat corruption, prevent bribes, and the waste of public money.
President Aoun’s stance came during his reception the head of the Educational Center for Research and Development, Dr. Nada Ouwaijan, who was accompanied by a delegation, today at Baabda Palace.
Ouwaijan briefed the President on the details related to the educational curriculum development workshop, which was launched by the Education Minister and the Educational Center on 9/1/2020.
Dr. Ouwaijan revealed that the project to develop curricula was launched around three weeks ago after the adequate political and economic conditions were available, in addition to funding from external projects. Ouwaijan pointed out that the President has always been keen on this project and on active citizenship in our society, and on the adoption of a fair and sustainable educational project, in order to build a cohesive society and an active citizen.
“The main concern is that the citizen is educated, balanced, happy, open, and also enjoying a sense of citizenship and belonging to Lebanon. It is also important for us that this project meets the needs of the society and labor market without working to export human capital abroad” Dr. Ouwaijan stated.
Ouwaijan also explained that this project-approach takes into account the digital and technology, which are considered the feature of the times, in order to make entry into the economy of the times and knowledge available for Lebanon, in order to regain its leadership in the region and worldwide.
Dr. Ouwaijan concluded by revealing that during demonstrations, the center launched a campaign entitled “For Citizenship to be not only a Word”, and prepared directives related to responsible freedom and other related topics, hoping for the President’s permanent care for the center and its main concerns.
President Aoun’s Reply:
The President reiterated the importance of education in societies, and considered that education progresses on pedagogics because it teaches social values and the concept of affiliation and belonging to the country, while pedagogic programs are specific, believing that it is necessary to determine what the Lebanese citizen lacks in his society, in order to define and extract educational programs. The President stressed on the elements of basic education, such as addressing, correspondence, talking to one another and etiquette, in addition to physical education, food and family.
“A person starts by being a creature who belongs to his community, and then moves to be a citizen belonging to his homeland, so that his rights and duties must be determined and likewise, the citizen, especially the Lebanese, lives in a diverse country, which makes learning the history of the development of religions a necessity for him, in order to look up to God with openness of thought and capability of understanding the concept of home” President Aoun said.
The President considered that family planning has become very essential today, especially in Lebanon, which suffers from population growth, and wished to place this within the aforementioned project. President Aoun stressed the importance of directing students to vocational education and reaffirming its commitment to fighting corruption, especially in light of the new Government.
President Aoun met the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Lebanon, Abdul Mutalib Sarker, on a farewell visit to mark the end of his diplomatic duties. The President wished Mutalib Sarker success in his new responsibilities, and thanked him for his efforts to strengthen Lebanese-Bangladesh relations.
President Aoun met two former MPs, Nabil Nicolas, and Abbas Hachem, and discussed with them recent political developments. Condolences for Victims of the Australian Accident: President Aoun allocated the Consul General of Lebanon in Sydney (Australia), Charbel Macaron, to convey his heartfelt condolences to Mr. Danny Abdullah and his wife, Laila Geagea, who lost their three children in the tragic traffic accident which took place last week in the Uttland region (Sydney). The Consul General was also assigned to condole the family of the fourth victim who died in the same accident.The President expressed his sorrow over the incident and stressed the need to impose the most severe punishment for the perpetrator, who was arrested by the Australian police.— Presidency Press Office
Berri signs 2020 budget law
NNA/February 03/2020
Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, on Monday signed the General State Budget and Appended Budgets Law for the year 2020 and then referred it to Grand Serail. In further ‘deal of the century’ talks and their implications on the Palestinian cause, Berri received a phone call from head of Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh.
Diab chairs Ministerial Statement Committee’s meeting
NNA/February 03/2020
Prime Minister, Dr. Hassan Diab, on Monday chaired at the Grand Serail a meeting by the ministerial committee tasked to draft the new cabinet’s Ministerial Statement. The meeting is devoted to discussing the final draft of the statement before submitting it to the Cabinet for approval in its final form.
Diab inks 2020 budget, refers it to presidency
NNA/February 03/2020
Prime Minister, Dr. Hassan Diab, on Monday signed the 2020 state budget and then referred it to the Lebanese presidency.
Diab meets Wahhab and Al-Kharafi, chairs financial meeting
NNA/February 03/2020
Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, met Monday at the Grand Serail, with former minister Wiam Wahhab, over the latest local, regional and international developments. Diab later received vice chairman and CEO of Zain Group, Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi. Separately, the Prime Minister chaired a financial meeting attended by Ministers Damianos Qattar (Environment), Ghazi Wazni (Finance), Imad Hoballah (Industry), and Raoul Nehme (Economy), alongside Central Bank Governor Riyad Salameh, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Mahmoud Makkieh, and consultant Khodor Taleb.
Report: Schenker to Visit Lebanon after Govt. Confidence Vote
Naharnet/February 03/2020
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker is expected to visit crisis-hit Lebanon “when the new government receives the Parliament’s vote of confidence,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Monday. According to information obtained by the daily, Shencker announced during a trip to Israel that “the economic situation in Lebanon is worse than anyone can imagine, we believe the foreign reserves are much less than announced,” by central bank officials, he was quoted as saying. The new government of PM Hassan Diab, which the US says is backed by Hizbullah, must win the Parliament’s vote of confidence as the country grapples with nationwide protests, a liquidity crunch, shortage in dollars and weakening Lebanese pound.
Probe of Lebanese-American Who Worked For Israel Postponed
Asharq Al-Awsat/Monday, 3 February, 2020
A Lebanese judge postponed Monday the questioning of Amer Fakhoury, a Lebanese-American who confessed he’d worked for Israel during its occupation of Lebanon, state-run National News Agency reported. It said that since Fakhoury is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer, the investigative judge’s questioning session will be postponed until Feb. 17. Fakhoury who was detained after returning to Lebanon from the US in September, had worked as a senior warden at the Khiam Prison in southern Lebanon. Khiam was run by an Israeli-backed militia until Israel ended its 18-year occupation of the area in 2000, the Associated Press reported. Meanwhile, Fakhoury’s family said doctors have told them his condition is life threatening. In addition to an infection and a bleeding disorder, doctors believe he’s developed an aggressive form of lymphoma. Several former inmates at Khiam Prison accused Fakhoury of torturing them and filed a lawsuit against him after he returned. Human rights groups have said in the past that Khiam prison was a site of torture and detention without trial before it was abandoned following the Israeli withdrawal.
Questioning of Amer Fakhoury Postponed over Health Reasons
Associated Press/Naharnet/February 03/2020
A Lebanese judge postponed Monday the questioning of a Lebanese-American who confessed he’d worked for Israel during its occupation of Lebanon, state-run National News Agency reported. The agency said that because Amer Fakhoury is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer, the investigative judge’s questioning session will be postponed until Feb. 17. Fakhoury’s family said doctors have told them his condition is life threatening. In addition to an infection and a bleeding disorder, doctors believe he’s developed an aggressive form of lymphoma. Fakhoury was detained after returning to his native Lebanon from the U.S. in September. He had worked as a senior warden at the Khiam Prison in southern Lebanon. It was run by an Israeli-backed militia, known as the South Lebanon Army, until Israel ended its 18-year occupation of the area in 2000. The two countries technically remain at war. Several former inmates at Khiam Prison filed a lawsuit against Fakhoury after he returned to Lebanon, blaming him for cases of torture. Human rights groups have said in the past that Khiam prison was a site of torture and detention without trial before it was abandoned following the Israeli withdrawal. Israel denies the allegations.
Hundreds of former Lebanese members of the SLA militia had fled to Israel, fearing reprisals if they remained in Lebanon. Others stayed and faced trial, receiving lenient sentences.
Foreign Ministry’s Director of Political, Consular Affairs tackles developments with Turkish Ambassador
NNA/February 03/2020
Director of Political and Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Ghadi El Khoury, on Monday welcomed Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon, Hakan اakil, with whom he discussed bilateral relations between the two countries. The meeting also focused on what has been disseminated through media outlets about a cargo ship which docked under Lebanese flag in Libya’s Tripoli port whilst being escorted by a Turkish frigate. The Turkish ambassador promised that he would refer back to his country’s authorities to obtain further information on this issue.
Talks between the pair also touched on an array of economic issues such as the liberation of trade exchange between Lebanon and Turkey and allowing Lebanon to re-export iron to Turkey, which contributes to improving the trade balance between the two countries. Discussions also touched on the most recent developments in the region.
Hitti from KSA: Lebanon Adheres to Arab Peace Initiative
Naharnet/February 03/2020
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nassif Hitti reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative which was endorsed at the Beirut Arab League Summit in 2002, based upon related UN resolutions and international law principles, in order to reach a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian Cause, the National News Agency reported on Monday. In a statement delivered at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Hitti indicated that the conference was taking place “at a critical historic moment in the course of the Palestinian Cause and the Arab-Israeli conflict” considering the many challenges and reverberations not just for Palestine, but also for the region and the world. Hitti started his speech by thanking the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its “unremitting support for the Palestinian Cause and leading role in the service of the joint Arab and Islamic action.”“The proposals made under the title of peace are solutions based on a quasi-Palestinian semi-sovereign statelet and on some Palestinian lands, while seeking to add legitimacy to the (Israeli) occupation and ignore legal principles and international resolutions,” Hitti said. “Such ideas would only cause further tensions, risks and destruction,” he added. “We are always open to hearing all proposals,” he underlined, highlighting the necessity to abide by the related international laws and UN resolutions. He also stressed that solutions must not be advantageous to one side at the expense of the other. He lastly called for effective cooperation and swift action at all levels to make peace in compliance with the well-known international references, the principles of the Arab Peace Initiative, and the fresh Arab League decision.
Lebanese Banks Slash Dollar Withdrawal Limit by Half
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/February 03/2020
Most Lebanese banks on Monday slashed the monthly dollar withdrawal limit by 50%, media reports said. For example, Bank Audi will give every small depositor who has a dollar account $300 every 15 days instead of $300 weekly. Depositors with accounts over $100,000 will meanwhile get $500 every 15 days while those whose accounts contain more than $1 million will be eligible to $1,000. Three major banks contacted by AFP on Monday confirmed they have halved the dollar withdrawal limit since the beginning of February, some capping the amount at $600 a month. The informal controls have sparked public outrage in protest-hit Lebanon, where an anti-government street movement launched on October 17 has grown increasingly angry at banking policies. “These new illegal measures by banks come with the political blessing of the new government,” said activist Lucien Bourjeily. The new cabinet, which was formed last month, is expected this week to outline its financial rescue plan. Experts and demonstrators say banking controls amount to a de facto “haircut” on savings because they are forcing dollar depositors to deal in the nosediving Lebanese pound. The currency has plunged against the greenback on the parallel exchange market, though the official peg of 1,507 pounds to the dollar in place since 1997 remains unchanged. Central bank chief Riad Salameh last month said that he agreed with money exchange houses to cap the parallel rate at 2,000 — but several exchanges continue to charge rates edging towards 2,200.
Salameh last month asked for special powers to authorize the banks to set withdrawal limits, which had not formally been backed by the government.
The finance ministry, however, has yet to publicly respond to his request.
Geagea: LF to Attend Sessions but Won’t Grant Confidence to Govt.
Naharnet/February 03/2020
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea announced Monday that the LF-led Strong Republic bloc will attend parliamentary sessions aimed at debating the new government’s Policy Statement. “The Strong Republic bloc will attend the confidence sessions out of its keenness on the continuity of the work of state institutions but it will not grant the government its confidence,” Geagea said. Noting that “there are ministers on this government who enjoy good reputation,” Geagea pointed out that the LF will wait to “see whether they would act according to their expertise and ethics or according to the political dictations of those who named them as ministers.”The LF had boycotted a recent controversial session that debated the 2020 draft state budget.
Panel Finalizes Policy Statement, Govt. to Approve It Thursday
Naharnet/February 03/2020
The ministerial panel drafting the new government’s Policy Statement completed its task on Monday and a Cabinet session will be held Thursday to approve it, the information minister said. “There are no tax amendments but the Policy Statement includes taxing and monetary reforms,” Manal Abdul Samad said after the committee finished its last meeting. Noting that the government does not endorse any leaked draft, the minister said the statement includes “plans for 100 days, 1 year and 3 years,” describing the plans as “clear, targeted and realistic.”Industry Minister Imad Hoballah meanwhile announced that “the leaked draft differs from what was agreed on today.” Tourism and Social Affairs Minister Ramzi Msharrafiyeh for his part said that some final touches were put on the draft, noting that the political segment “was not altered.” “The amendments are not essential and the taxing and inspection measures will target those who were getting exemptions and those who were evading taxes,” Msharrafiyeh added. An-Nahar newspaper had reported Sunday that the panel has opted to use the same clauses contained in the statement of Saad Hariri’s government regarding “the sensitive political topics related to the resistance and the dissociation policy.” The bulk of the statement will meanwhile be dedicated to the financial and economic crises. Parliament is not expected to hold a session to debate the statement before next week.
Rabih al-Zein to be Released on Bail as Other Activists Questioned
Naharnet/February 03/2020
Mount Lebanon Examining Magistrate Bassam al-Hajj on Monday ordered the release of protest movement activist Rabih al-Zein on an LBP 100,000 bail, referring the file to public prosecution. “The public prosecution will approve or dismiss the order tomorrow,” MTV reported. The activists Charbel Qai and Imad al-Masri were meanwhile questioned as witnessed and released. Arrest warrants were meanwhile issued for Jihad al-Ali and Joe Challita following interrogation. Judge al-Hajj had on Wednesday charged al-Zein with “incitement” over the recent torching of an ATM belonging to the Credit Libanais bank in Zouk and a Molotov attack on the Free Patriotic Movement’s office in Jounieh. Anti-government protesters Georges Azzi and Mohammed Srour had been detained in the same case and remain in custody. Al-Zein has been known for leading a group of road-blocking protesters in the northern city of Tripoli. He has also appeared at other protest sites across the country, raising suspicions about his role. He had been arrested for the first time in December over his controversial presence at the Justice Palace during an altercation between Mount Lebanon Prosecutor Ghada Aoun and MP Hadi Hbeish of al-Mustaqbal Movement.
Activist Rabih al Zein released on bail
NNA/February 03/2020
Mount Lebanon Investigative Judge, Bassam El Hajj, on Monday issued a decision to release Activist Rabih al Zein, on an LBP 500,000 bail, Al Zein’s dossier will be referred tomorrow to the Public Prosecution. Activist Charbel Qai was also released without bail and without pressing charges against him.
Minister of Health says following up on ship coming from Far East, confirms no virus symptoms among crew members
NNA/February 03/2020
Minister of Public Health, Dr. Hamad Hassan, on Monday said via “Twitter” that the Ministry of Health had been following up on the ship arriving to Lebanon from the Far East and confirmed that its crew did not suffer from any virus symptoms thus far.
He added that after the ship docks at Beirut Port at 6:00 am tomorrow morning, the Ministry’s quarantine team will adopt all the required procedures.
Rahi meets Maronite League delegation
NNA/February 03/2020
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Rahi met Monday in Bkerki with a delegation of the Maronite League chaired by former MP Neemtallah Abi Nasr. Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Abi Nasr highlighted the importance of unity among the Maronite community, as well as that of adopting a Lebanese national rhetoric.
Gold and Bentleys: Lebanese Spend Big to Salvage Savings
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/February 03/2020
Companies are closing and restaurants are half empty but in the gloom of Lebanon’s worst economic crisis in decades, luxury jewellers, supercar dealerships and art galleries are doing brisk business. Worried that their life savings might vanish with a collapse of the banking sector, some Lebanese are syphoning cash from their accounts and buying the most expensive goods they can get their hands on. Banks have slapped restrictions on withdrawals and overseas transfers, leading some depositors to use cashier’s checks to spend savings they fear would otherwise be depleted by a haircut or a devaluation. “Our sales have trebled since November,” said Karl Kenaan, a Beirut-based real estate broker. “There’s a huge demand.” Companies encouraging Lebanese to offload their savings by investing in property have launched advertising campaigns on billboards and on social media. “People want to diversify their investments as a precaution against the threat that hovers above the banking sector and the national currency,” Kenaan said. To be on the safe side, many choose to buy flats and houses outside of Lebanon for fear the property market could collapse too.
“Secure your savings with a property investment in Greece you can pay for in Lebanon,” reads a Facebook ad for a real estate agency.
Gold is golden
The Lebanese pound has been officially pegged to the dollar since 1997 but it has lost a third of its value on the parallel market recently. With the prospect that Lebanon might restructure or default on its debt after years of economic mismanagement and corruption, many Lebanese fear that an official devaluation of the pound will slash their savings. The loss of confidence in a banking sector that was once a source of national pride is such that deposits in Lebanon have slumped by $12 billion over the first 11 months of 2019. For years, deposits had been fuelled by the influx of money from Lebanon’s vast diaspora and Gulf residents who were attracted by high interest rates. These rates, however, have decreased significantly since December, further dissuading depositors abroad and at home from putting their money in the bank. Despite the controls slapped by banks to prevent capital flight, Lebanese depositors can still ask for cashier’s checks and they are using them to buy goods they feel will not depreciate or can be easily resold abroad. “More and more clients are buying gold coins, chains, bracelets and necklaces, only for their monetary value,” said one jeweller whose business has 14 branches nationwide. One car dealer who also asked not to be identified said Lamborghinis and Bentleys sometimes fetching $400,000 were still in demand “even as auto sales are generally plummeting”.
Art in the cart
“Sure, these cars gradually lose some of their value but for many buyers it’s a case of trying not to lose everything,” he said. Artworks, a traditional safe investment in times of crisis, are being snapped in Beirut’s edgy galleries. “Lately I’ve had visits from people I’ve never seen before in my gallery,” one owner said. “They basically want to see the largest paintings, buy the most expensive pieces.” Those who are unsure what to spend their money on tend to pull as much cash as possible from the bank and keep it at home. According to the banking authorities, $3 billion have been withdrawn from banks and hoarded at home since September, triggering a rush on safes. “Our sales have gone up 50 percent,” said Khalil Chehab, a retailer who specialises in safes and lock boxes. “Banks used to be our main clients before the crisis broke out, now it’s their customers who are coming to us,” he said, adding that some buyers were ready to spend up to $20,000 on high-end safes. “People are no longer looking for any kind of profit. They just want to save their money, at any price.”
Hasan Says Coronavirus Doesn’t Survive on Mail from China
Naharnet/February 03/2020
Health Minister Hamad Hasan assured on Monday that the deadly coronavirus does not get transmitted through mail packages arriving from the disease-inflicted country of China. “Citizens receiving letters and parcels from China are not at risk of getting coronavirus transmitted to them. Analysis confirm the virus does not survive for a long time on the surfaces of things such as letters and parcels,” said Hamad in a tweet. Coronavirus, which originated in a live seafood market in Wuhan, in China’s Hubei province, has spread to more than 24 countries, despite many governments imposing unprecedented travel bans on people coming from China. The World Health Organization has already declared the outbreak a global emergency, and the Chinese death toll has risen to 362 while total infections reached over 17,000, surpassing the SARS epidemic of two decades ago. On Sunday the first foreign death from the virus was reported in the Philippines.
Abdullah: Democratic Gathering Bloc to Withhold Confidence Vote
Naharnet/February 03/2020
Democratic Gathering bloc MP Bilal Abdullah said on Monday that his bloc shall participate in a parliament session on the new government but will not give it its vote of confidence. In remarks he made to VDL (93.3) radio station, Abdullah said the bloc will meet on Tuesday to decide whether it will attend a parliament session dedicated to discuss the government’s policy statement. “We will likely participate in the session but we will not give it our confidence vote,” he said. Criticizing a leaked Policy Statement draft, which the government of PM Hassan Diab still has to finalize, Abdullah said it introduces “no radical solutions.” Instead it “adopts embellished words that impose new taxes, tough measures on Lebanese and a clear tendency for privatization without any practical measures,” he said. The MP noted that his bloc will stand with “responsible and constructive opposition,” noting that the “government performance against tax evaders and looters of public funds is more important than the Policy Statement.”The ministerial panel drafting the new government’s Policy Statement will reportedly hold a “final reading” session on Monday after the draft was distributed to all ministers.
A cabinet session will be scheduled later at the Baabda Palace under President Michel Aoun to approve the statement in its final version.
National Bloc: Ministerial Statement written by demonstrators this past weekend
NNA/February 03/2020
The Lebanese National Bloc Party said in a statement that “the latest demonstrations illustrated the failure of the government’s plans to derail the revolution by infiltrating the demonstrations with their supports. This past weekend sectarian and regional barriers were broken again with demonstrators coming to Tripoli from all regions of Lebanon, even after attempts to isolate this city on sectarian basis.” In its statement, the Bloc said that banners with such slogans as “the rejection of the pharaohs of war and its political system” were raised to show that people believe that “the ministers of the current government are only the advisers of former ministers and ruling parties, and that they bare no characteristics of independence.”The Bloc noted that the demonstrators are adamant about continuing the struggle no matter how long it takes in order to save Lebanon by stating that: “The revolution in Lebanon is not for a day or a month or a year; it is a historical process.”The Bloc added: “Sunday was a day of creativity in Martyr’s square and it was in defiance to loss of hope in the shadow of very difficult times. It was day to hold fast to Lebanon’s civility and for the victory of life over despair.”As for the demands of the demonstrators about the content of the ministerial statement, the Bloc “referred to some of the banners that were displayed such as: “independence of the judiciary and persecution of thieves”, and getting out of the “capitalist model which is hostile to industry and agriculture, and for distribution of wealth and social justice.”The Bloc considered “these enthusiastic slogans to mirror the revolutionary groups and political parties’ preparations for a bailout economic plan that has been published in the media, and that should be a ministerial statement for the revolution.”The Bloc also reminded that it has published on its website its own ministerial statement to overcome the current crisis, and thus there is no more need for a “government of advisers” since the demonstrators have already drafted the rescue plan.” –Lebanese National Bloc
Othman meets Jordan’s ambassador
NNA/February 03/2020
Internal Security Forces Chief, Imad Othman, on Monday received in his office the Jordanian Ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Al-Hadid, who came on a visit aimed at cooperation and coordination. Talks reportedly touched on the general situation in the country.
Ghajar meets EU Ambassador
NNA /February 03/2020
Water and Energy Minister, Raymond Ghajar, on Monday received in his office at the Ministry the EU Ambassador to Lebanon, Ralph Joseph Tarraf, with talks reportedly touching on means of cooperation in the water, electricity and energy sectors. Ambassador Tarraf expressed the EU’s readiness to provide technical and in-kind assistance in this regard. Discussions also touched on the government’s orientations in the next stage, after obtaining confidence, and ways to restore citizens’ trust in it.
Mortada meets Egyptian ambassador, FAO mission
NNA/February 03/2020
Agriculture Minister, Abbas Mortada, received on Monday in his office at the Ministry the Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon, Dr. Yasser Alawi, accompanied by the Embassy’s Trade Advisor, Dr. Mona Wehbe, in the presence of Ministry’s Director General Louis Lahoud.
Discussion reportedly touched on the bilateral relations between the two countries and means of enhancing them. Agricultural relations and trade exchange between both countries also featured high on their talks. Minister Mortada also met with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) mission to Lebanon, led by FAO Representative in Lebanon, Dr. Maurice Saadeh, in the presence of former Minister Wafaa Deaa. The mission aims to conduct a swift assessment of the impact and repercussions of the economic and financial crisis on the agricultural sector and food security in Lebanon, and prepare a rapid support program that responds to the crisis.
Safadi Foundation” launches “TWI Accredited Welding Training Centre” in Lebanon, region
NNA/February 03/2020
Due to the fact that the fields of Oil and Gas have recently witnessed a wider spread in Lebanon, and given the high expectations for an increase in demand on professional welding workers, Mohammad Safadi, founder of “Safadi Foundation”, launched a “TWI Accredited Welding Training Centre”, located at the “Safadi Accelerated Vocational Training Center” (SAVOTEC) in Tripoli. The first-of-its-kind in Lebanon, this centre has the ability to train and graduate up to 200 welders annually, using the latest welding equipment and technologies, through high-level professional trainers from “Safadi Foundation” accredited by TWI. During the launching ceremony, which took place at SAVOTEC in the presence of a number of representatives of international organizations and local syndicates, and senior contractors from the north region and all Lebanon, Mohammad Safadi noted that “this centre was launched during a hard time for both Lebanon and its youth. It was established with the goal to empower the youth in the north region in general and Tripoli’s specifically, and to assist them in accomplishing their dreams, and to meet their aspirations.”“Tripoli is in need of several vital projects to be implemented in order to provide job opportunities for the youth,” added Safadi. “Among these projects would be restoring and developing the railway, which would encourage the utilization of Tripoli’s port, and stimulate the trade industry. Another project would be to create an offshore platform in the north region to explore, extract, store, and process petroleum and natural gas, so that they can later be distributed through pipes, feeding factories with energy and electricity. This project in particular can create more than 10,000 job opportunities, and reduce the cost of electricity production by 40%,” he continued. Safadi also noted that he considered “the most important project to be the comprehensive research-based development initiative conducted by the Foundation, which seeks to restore Tripoli as a multicultural urban center for knowledge, commerce and trade. This initiative was based on the findings of the Socio-Economic Participatory Study of the Old City of Tripoli (OCT) published in May of 2017, during a conference held at the Grand Serail under the auspices of former PM Saad Hariri. 21 projects were developed afterwards, with the aim of social and economic revitalization. However, with the limited support received from the Government, only SAVOTEC’s establishment could be implemented.”
With reference to the “TWI Accredited Welding Training Centre” in the field of Oil and Gas, which was launched that day, Safadi stressed that “it was developed to suit the labor market needs, and to enhance the role of the Lebanese workforce in the fields of Oil and Gas, especially that an advanced technology has been introduced in training, through simulators.” He concluded by observing that “the certificate issued by TWI is an internationally accredited certificate, enabling graduates to work both inside and outside Lebanon.”
The General Manager of “Safadi Foundation”, Mrs. Samar Boulos indicated that “this initiative aims to find a solution that would help face the encounters that have fallen upon Lebanon and its citizens; and to address the urgent challenge of unemployment, which is prevalent in Lebanon, and has drastic repercussions on the social and economic sectors.” Boulos also said that “it’s worth mentioning the importance of this newly-launched centre, as well as the significance of the international accreditation that “Safadi Foundation” sought to obtain from TWI, while the Foundation was keen to meet all the conditions and standards to build such a center, from equipment to trainers.”Mr. Ernesto Moskini, Regional Manager of TWI in South-East Asia, concluding the ceremony, remarked that “the center was built in a significantly short period of time, and being the best center in the region, it would make this an amazing achievement for “Safadi Foundation”, which deserves an international recognition.” He added that “discussions are underway to extend the scope of work, and welding is only the starting point of collaboration between TWI and the Foundation.”—Safadi Foundation’s Press Office
Tarraf meets Fahmi, says international community monitoring new government
NNA/February 03/2020
Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Mohammad Fahmi, on Monday welcomed EU Ambassador to Lebanon, Ralph Tarraf, with whom he discussed the current situation on the local and regional scenes. During the meeting, Fahmi stressed that security in Lebanon was on the top of the current government’s agenda, “but the current priority is the economic situation and how to overcome the crisis.” For his part, Ambassador Tarraf said that the international community was monitoring the performance of the new government. “If the government’s plan of action is coherent, the international community will be even more willing to lend its support,” Tarraf asserted, reminding that the previous governments never kept their promises to the international community. Moreover, Tarraf condoned the way the security forces have been handling protesters.
‘Awa’a’ activists protest outside Justice Palace in support of judicial independence
NNA/February 03/2020
Activists representing “Awa’a Bloc” on Monday carried out a protest in front of the Palace of Justice in Beirut in solidarity with the judiciary to help it remain strong and accountable, and to demand its full independence. “An independent and impartial judiciary is the real place for fighting corruption and holding corrupt people accountable,” is the motto is the bloc. It is to note that the bloc will carry out a weekly protest in front of the Palace of Justice, under the slogan “Monday of the Judiciary”.
