A Bundle Of English Reports, News and Editorials For 05-06/2020 Addressing the On Going Mass Demonstrations & Sit In-ins In Iranian Occupied Lebanon in its 112th Day
Compiled By: Elias Bejjani
February 06/2020
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on February 05-06/2020
Aoun holds political meetings at Baabda Palace
Lebanese Parliament Moves to Protect Bank Deposits
Diab meets Belgian Foreign Minister, Hitti
Diab chairs meeting on oil and gas exploration plan implementation
Foreign Minister, Hitti, Belgian counterpart discuss activation of bilateral ties
Kubis Urges Lebanon to ‘Support Itself’ to Get Int’l Support
Belgium Diplomat in Beirut Meets Officials
First Gas Exploration Vessel Docks at Beirut Port
Activist Gets Interrogated, Vows Protests Escalation
Berri: Owners of 5 Banks Sent $2.3 Billion Abroad
Berri meets Wednesday MPs: Current circumstances cannot handle more pressure on citizens
Gas Station Owners Threaten to Strike, Set Own Prices
Jumblat Says Cooperation Hardly Possible with Presidential Term
Lebanese Student Quarantined after Arriving from China
Lebanese Petroleum Administration: ‘Lundstrom Tide’ will transport equipment and materials from Beirut Port to drilling ship
French Ambassador meets Dabbour, reiterates keenness on twostatesolution
Protesters gather at Riad Solh Square
NNA Director, Indian Ambassador discuss means to bolster media cooperation
Moucharafieh, EU Ambassador tackle socio-economic situation
Najm meets with UN’s Kubis, Tarraf, Rampling
Mechanic pursuer apprehended in North Lebanon over bribery
Karpowership denies claims of leak from Powership Fatmagul Sultan
Maxence Duault appointed general director of ESA Business School
A future Palestine: Dubai or Lebanon/Hussain Abdul-Hussain/Al Arabiya English/February 05/2020
Berytech opens applications for Batch 1 of its Cleanergy Accelerator Program
The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on February 05-06/2020
Aoun holds political meetings at Baabda Palace
NNA/February 05/2020
President Michel Aoun received the head of the “Lebanese Democratic Party”, MP Talal Arslan, at Baabda Palace, and discussed with him the general situation.
MP Arslan noted the role played by President Michel Aoun, in this delicate circumstance of Lebanese history.
“I affirmed support for the President’s stances, and stressed on the President’s morality, patriotism, good performance, and his response to Lebanese demands and needs, placing them above every concern, especially in current circumstances which the country is passing through. I also stressed the Government’s role in helping the President achieve goals which he seeks, in the interest of Lebanon and its stability” Arslan stated.
MP Adnan Traboulsi:
President Aoun received MP, Adnan Traboulsi, and discussed with him general conditions and political developments.
“I discussed, with the President, what we look forward to see from the new Government through its ministerial statement, and through what is expected in setting a rescue plan to deal with this acute crisis, economically, financially, and livingly, and moving the wheel of productive sectors, in addition to working with seriousness and transparency in combatting waste and corruption” Traboulsi said after the meeting.
“We also discussed the so-called deal of the century, which is rejected in Palestine, Lebanon and the Arab world. We emphasized on rejecting resettlement, and adhered to the Palestinians’ right to return to their lands. In this context, I highly appreciated the President’s stance regarding the Deal of the Century, which his Excellency has asserted for years, especially in conferences, in the Arab Summits of Jordan, Dhahran and Tunisia” Traboulsi added.
Head of “Shura” State Council: President Aoun also met the Head of “Shura” State Council, Judge Fadi Elias, and discussed with him the work of the Council.-Presidency Press Office
Lebanese Parliament Moves to Protect Bank Deposits
Beirut – Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
Parliament launched legislative actions to protect deposits in Lebanese banks, stressing its commitment to standing up to any measures that would affect depositors whose protection has become an “absolute priority”. The head of the parliamentary administration and justice committee, MP George Adwan, emphasized an “utmost priority” to protect depositors and deposits, adding that every effort should be deployed in this direction. “The way of dealing with this file cannot take place through small daily measures, but rather through a comprehensive monetary and fiscal policy, proposed by the government. Parliament will then assume a monitoring role and hold the government accountable on this basis,” Adwan said following the committee’s meeting on Tuesday. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, MP Ghazi Zoaiter, said that the committee’s position was approved by all concerned parties, including central bank Governor Riad Salame and the head of the Lebanese Banks Association, Salim Sfeir. He added that the parliament would spare no legislative means to protect the depositors’ money. “Parliament has the authority to enact laws. If the protection of deposits and depositors requires legislation, we will not spare any effort in this regard,” he remarked. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Mrad, the head of the Money Exchangers Association, said that an understanding was underway with Salame to fix the US dollar price at LBP 2,000. Mrad met with Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Tuesday to update him on latest contacts to address the economic crisis.
Diab meets Belgian Foreign Minister, Hitti
NNA/February 05/2020
Prime Minister, Dr. Hassan Diab, on Wednesday met at the Grand Serail with Belgian Foreign and Defense Minister, Philippe Goffin, and his accompanying delegation. Talks reportedly touched on the current situation in Lebanon and the broader region, in addition to means of bolstering relations between the two countries. Earlier, Premier Diab met with Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Minister, Nassif Hitti, who briefed him on the outcome of the two meetings held recently in Cairo and Jeddah
Diab chairs meeting on oil and gas exploration plan implementation
NNA/February 05/2020
Prime Minister, Dr. Hassan Diab, on Wednesday presided over a meeting at the Grand Serail, on the stages of implementing the oil and gas exploration plan. The meeting was attended by Minister of Environment and Administrative Development Damianos Kattar, Water and Energy Minister Raymond Ghajar, and members of the Lebanese Petroleum Administration (LPA). Head of LPA, Walid Nasr, gave a briefing on the work undertaken by the Petroleum Administration in implementing the gas and oil exploration plan and its various stages. Premier Diab also met with a delegation of the French “Total” Company, in the presence of Ministers Ghajar and Damianos.The delegation briefed the Premier on the company’s activities in Lebanon, in addition to the oil situation in light of the plan to explore for oil and gas in the Lebanese territorial waters.
Foreign Minister, Hitti, Belgian counterpart discuss activation of bilateral ties
NNA/February 05/2020
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Nassif Hitti, on Wednesday met with his Belgian counterpart, Philippe Goffin, with whom he discussed bilateral relations. In the wake of the meeting, Minister Hitti said that he discussed with Goffin the economic crisis in Lebanon, noting that they have shared their views on solutions and the important role of the new government in the development of an economic rescue plan as soon as possible, before sharing it with donor countries and international institutions. “We also discussed the means of strengthening the trade balance between Lebanon and Belgium, which is rather in favor of Belgium. Today, there is a need to consolidate local production and exports, as well as to change the economic system to a productive one, based on the sectors of agriculture and industry,” Hitti said. The Minister added that he had also discussed with his counterpart political matters, most importantly the Deal of the century, which is refused by Arab and Islamic countries, and the Palestinian authorities and people. Hitti insisted on the need to respect international resolutions and the Arab peace initiative, based on the two-state solution, with eastern Al-Quds as the capital of the Palestinian state, as well as the liberation of all occupied Arab lands. Touching on the refugee crisis, Minister Hitti affirmed that this matter was of great importance for Lebanon and Europe, stressing Lebanon’s keenness on the return of Syrian refugees to the safe zones in their country. Goffin, for his part, said his presence in Lebanon was a sign of support for the country and the necessary reforms that the government would carry out. According to him, “although these reforms are painful at first, they will be fruitful later.” He said that his country supported reforms in Lebanon, in light of a program that could preserve confidence between the two countries, whose history is marked by a long friendship. “Belgium assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council at its current session in early February, which will focus on raising three questions, namely transitional justice,” he added. “Our countries have participated in international forums, and King Philip will chair the United Nations Security Council to recall the situation of children in armed conflict, and we urge Lebanon to sign the protocol on this subject,” he said. Concerning the US peace plan, the Belgian minister reiterated the position of his country, according to which he is committed to the two-state-solution with respect for the international law. In addition, Minister Hitti received the credentials of the new Italian ambassador to Lebanon, Nicoletta Bobardière, to be later referred to President of the Republic, Michel Aoun.
Kubis Urges Lebanon to ‘Support Itself’ to Get Int’l Support
Naharnet/February 05/2020
U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis on Wednesday said that Lebanon should first “support itself” if it wants to receive international economic and financial support. “Reforms, reforms, reforms,” Kubis said during a meeting with the Press Editors Syndicate when asked about the U.N.’s conditions for helping Lebanon during this period. Noting that protesters on the streets are saying what the reforms should be, such as those related to the electricity sector, Kubis said any serious reforms must entail a clear plan and specific timeframes. “If Lebanon does not support itself, it should not expect support from the international community,” Kubis was quoted as saying in remarks carried by Lebanon’s National News Agency.
Belgium Diplomat in Beirut Meets Officials
Naharnet/February 05/2020
Belgium Foreign and Defense Minister Philippe Goffin is in Beirut as part of a regional tour to hold meetings with senior officials. Goffin first held separate talks with PM Hassan Diab and Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti. The National News Agency said Goffin and Diab discussed the situation in Lebanon and ways to develop bilateral relations between the two countries. He is scheduled to meet later during the day with President Michel Aoun. Goffin had arrived in Lebanon coming from Oman as part of a regional tour that included Syria, Iraq, Kurdistan and Jordan.
Goffin is expected to discuss the latest developments with senior officials. He had discussed the threats of terrorism with Iraqi and Jordanian officials and with Kurdistan officials in Erbil before arriving in Lebanon.
First Gas Exploration Vessel Docks at Beirut Port
Naharnet/February 05/2020
A supply vessel, Lundstrom Tide, arrived at Beirut Port in preparation for offshore drilling and exploration works, LBCI reported on Wednesday. Rented by Total, the vessel prepares to start exploration in bloc 4. A drill vessel, Tungsten Explorer, is expected to arrive in Lebanon on February 15 to start the drilling. Last year, Lebanon signed its first contract to drill for oil and gas in its waters. A consortium comprising energy giants Total, ENI and Novatek took the first two of its 10 blocks, including block 9 disputed by Israel with which Lebanon has fought several wars.
Activist Gets Interrogated, Vows Protests Escalation
Naharnet/February 05/2020
Activist Toni Khoury was interrogated on Wednesday over road blocking charges as the country grapples with nationwide demos, but he assured that protests against corruption will not cease despite “everything” saying “they have seen nothing yet.”Khoury was interrogated at the Jounieh judicial police department where tens of demonstrators gathered outside to express solidarity with him. Khoury assured that he has “respect for the law, whilst they (corrupt politicians) embark on exploiting authority and use oppression against demonstrators in order to stay in power.”“They have not yet seen the revolution. Let them wait until the (government) confidence vote session. Only then, will they see something never seen before,” he said. Activists and protesters have been subjected to questioning and detention, some released later, amid nationwide protests against mismanagement and corruption sweeping the country since October 17. On Tuesday, a judge released activist, Rabih al-Zein, on an LBP 500,000 bail after charging him with “incitement” over torching an ATM belonging to the Credit Libanais bank in Zouk and a Molotov attack on the Free Patriotic Movement’s office in Jounieh. The new government of PM Hassan Diab took office in January, but must still win the vote of confidence from Parliament.
Berri: Owners of 5 Banks Sent $2.3 Billion Abroad
Naharnet/February 05/2020
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday said he has managed to “confirm” that the owners of five Lebanese banks have sent their “personal money” abroad, estimated at $2.3 billion, despite the informal capital controls that have been imposed on depositors since November.
He was speaking during his weekly Ain el-Tineh meeting with lawmakers. “The national duty obliges us all to pacify the atmosphere and create the appropriate circumstances to restore the regularity of political life in line with law and constitution,” Berri said. “We are before a real chance for salvation. We either seize it and succeed or we let it go and fail,” the Speaker warned. Criticizing the solutions proposed for resolving the electricity crisis in the government’s draft policy statement, Berri said the state should adopt the electricity plan that has been successfully implemented in the Zahle region.
The Speaker also noted that parliamentary sessions to debate the government’s policy statement might kick off Tuesday should the government refer the draft to parliament “by Friday morning at the latest.”
Berri meets Wednesday MPs: Current circumstances cannot handle more pressure on citizens
NNA/February 05/2020
Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, on Wednesday said during a meeting with Wednesday MPs that national duty makes it imperative for all sides to pacify the situation in a bid to restore the political life based on the constitution and the law. “The vulnerability of the current conditions cannot handle exerting more pressure on the people, the homeland, and institutions,” Berri said. “We stand before a real opportunity for salvation,” he added. Moreover, Berri said that he has managed to confirm that the owners of five Lebanese banks have sent their “personal money” abroad, estimated at $2.3 billion, despite the informal capital controls that have been imposed on depositors since November. With regard to the discussion session of the ministerial statement, Berri suggested that it “may be held next Tuesday, if the statement is referred to parliament by Friday morning. Later in the afternoon, Berri presided over the “Development and Liberation” periodic bloc meeting, during which discussions featured high on the current situation in Lebanon and the repercussions of the so-called deal of the century, as well as an array of internal affairs related to the financial and economic situations, and the schedule of government action priorities in the next stage.
Gas Station Owners Threaten to Strike, Set Own Prices
Naharnet/February 05/2020
The syndicate of gas station owners on Wednesday threatened to stage a new strike or issue their own price lists if the Energy Ministry does not distribute the losses resulting from the dollar shortage crisis in a fairer manner. They described the prices list issued this week by the ministry as a “stab in the back.”Announcing that they will stage a symbolic sit-in Friday outside the ministry, the owners said they are “paying the price for authorities’ inaction.” “We are being robbed and we have remained silent in order to reach a peaceful solution but this has not happened,” a spokesman said. He also urged a probe into alleged discrepancies in the numbers issued Wednesday by the Energy Ministry, noting that Prime Minister Hassan Diab has promised them to resolve their problem once the government wins parliament’s confidence. Lebanon’s gas stations have staged several strikes in recent months to demand a higher margin of profit. On September 30, the central bank said it would facilitate access to dollars for importers of petroleum products, wheat and medicine. The price of the dollar has dropped 40 percent on the black market after it was stable at 1,507 pounds to the dollar since 1997.
Jumblat Says Cooperation Hardly Possible with Presidential Term
Naharnet/February 05/2020
Progressive Socialist Party leader ex-MP Walid Jumblat said he can not “cooperate” with the presidential term of President Michel Aoun, and that the latter “complies” to poor guidance by a group of advisers close to him, the Saudi Asharq al-Awsat daily reported on Wednesday.
In an interview with the newspaper, Jumblat said Aoun’s term and the people around him seek “vengeance,” referring to two incidents in Mount Lebanon’s towns of Qabrshmoun and al-Basatin. “We managed to survive miraculously,” he said. Criticizing former minister and Aoun’s son-in-law, Jebran Bassil, the PSP leader said: “Perhaps President Aoun would come to realize the destructive policy of his son-in-law, but that is only a glimpse of recognition in light of accumulating political factors.”On the new government of PM Hassan Diab, the Druze leader said some of its ministers seem tied to Syria, but still he plans to give it a chance. “This government brings to mind the ministers and symbols who came to governance from the security system that prevailed back in 2005, the Syrian security system, to be more exact and clear,” he said, but still he intends to give it a “chance.”
Whether his problem lies with the “term” itself or with the “President,” Jumblat noted that former PM “Saad Hariri believed he could deal with the President individually, but he sadly failed. There is a scary team next to the President, no need to name any, giving him (poor) judicial and political guidance which the President complies to.”The Presidential term “still has three years, Hariri has tried diplomatically and failed. Let us see what the new government has to offer.”
Lebanese Student Quarantined after Arriving from China
Naharnet/February 05/2020
Health Minister Hamad Hasan said Wednesday that a Lebanese student who arrived from China is being quarantined at the Rafik Hariri state-run hospital in Beirut despite being “in good health” and showing no symptoms of being infected with the novel coronavirus that has killed 490 people in China.
“The Lebanese student who arrived from China is in good health and is not showing any symptoms,” Hasan told the National News Agency. “There is nothing to worry about,” he added. Hasan had earlier tweeted that “all the reports claiming that a Lebanese student has been infected with the coronavirus are baseless,” noting that “his family is near him and he is enjoying all the necessary care and attention.”He attached a picture of the quarantined student to his tweet. The minister had recently announced that the Rafik Hariri hospital has the ability to quarantine up to four people infected or suspected of being infected with the coronavirus. LBCI TV had earlier reported that “a quarantined ambulance that was spotted passing through the al-Masnaa border crossing today was carrying a Lebanese citizen to the Rafik Hariri state-run hospital in Beirut.”
“The Lebanese citizen was in China with a group of Iranian and Syrian friends and he asked to be evacuated with them aboard a plane belonging to the Iranian airlines and the Iranian embassy approved the request,” LBCI said. “The plane arrived in Tehran this morning before flying to Damascus airport, after which the Syrian red crescent coordinated with the relevant authorities in Lebanon and the Lebanese citizen was transported to the al-Masnaa crossing,” the TV network added. He was received by a Lebanese Red Cross crew who then transported him to the hospital in Beirut.
“Preliminary examinations showed that the Lebanese citizen is not infected with the coronavirus,” LBCI said, noting that “precautionary measures were taken because the virus’ incubation period is around two weeks.”“That’s why he was transferred to the Rafik Hariri state-run hospital where he will undergo preventative quarantine measures for 14 days,” the TV network added. The number of confirmed infections in China has exceeded 24,000. Global concerns have risen after the World Health Organization declared an international health emergency last week.Several governments have imposed travel restrictions while major airlines have suspended flights to and from China. Former Lebanese Minister Sejaan Azzi: Forget About The Right Of Return – We Should Either Repatriate Palestinian Refugees In Lebanon Or Disperse Them To Other Countries
MEMRI/February 05/2020
On January 31, 2020, former Lebanese minister Sejaan Azzi participated in a panel that aired on the Hizbullah-affiliated Al-Manar TV (Lebanon). Azzi discussed the Palestinian right of return, saying that it collapsed with the Oslo Accords and that it cannot be implemented. He suggested that the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon should be dispersed to other countries that have the resources to provide them with livelihoods. Azzi added: “You have to choose between their repatriation [in Lebanon] and dispersing them once again.”
Sejaan Azzi: “The issue of the Right of Return collapsed with the Oslo Accords. This is not my analysis. There are documents to that effect.
“So the Right of Return has collapsed and there is no way to implement it.
“I am telling you that the Lebanese are not in agreement over the repatriation of the Palestinians [in Lebanon]. The survey that showed that there are 185,000 [Palestinians in Lebanon] is not true.
“Where have the 500,000 [Palestinian refugees] we used to talk about gone? These are not my figures or the figures of Imad here… These are the figures provided by UNRWA, the Interior Ministry, and the General Directorate of General Security. Where have they gone?”
Panel Participant: “But who among the Lebanese supports the repatriation? Nobody dares to even talk about it in public.”
Sejaan Azzi: “Perhaps nobody supports repatriation, but nobody has the courage to offer a solution that will enable our Palestinian brothers to continue living in Lebanon without being given Lebanese nationality.
“Has the presence of our Palestinian brothers in Lebanon – a few kilometers from the land of Palestine – led to the recapturing of Palestine and to their return?
Panel Participant: “So what do you suggest?”
Sejaan Azzi: “I suggest to examine with Arab and non-Arab countries – with the consent of the Palestinians themselves… Lebanon is incapable of providing livelihood for [the Palestinians], but there are countries that are less densely populated – they have oil, money, vast territories, and capabilities – and they are capable of providing [them] with livelihoods. The circumstances…”
Panel Participant: “You are calling to expel the Palestinians once again! You are calling to expel the Palestinians once again!”
Sejaan Azzi: “What? You think they are here to stay? Forever?”
Panel Participant: “No, but…”
Sejaan Azzi: “Look, you have to make a choice, and I have the courage to talk about it. You have to choose between their repatriation [in Lebanon] and dispersing them once again. As for the Right of Return – you should forget about it.”
View The Clip
fmr-lebanon-minister-sejaan-azzi-right-return-dead-palestinian-refugees-disperse
Lebanese Petroleum Administration: ‘Lundstrom Tide’ will transport equipment and materials from Beirut Port to drilling ship
NNA/February 05/2020
The Lebanese Petroleum Administration (LPA) issued the following statement: “In continuation of the technical preparations carried out by the operator Total for drilling the first exploration well in Block No. 4 in the marine waters, the supply vessel ‘Lundstrom Tide’ has docked at Beirut Port. This vessel is one of the three supply ships that will provide logistic support to the drilling ship ‘Tungsten Explorer’. The vessel ‘Lundstrom Tide’ will transport the equipment and materials needed by the drilling ship from Beirut Port’s logistic base to the ship, such as liquid mud, cement, pipes and other drilling equipment.”The statement added: “The supply vessel will also run naval patrols in vicinity of the drilling ship, to secure the safety zone surrounding the drilling ship with a circular beam reaching up to 500 m. Two other logistic support vessels are also expected to arrive to Beirut port to carry out similar tasks to that of Lundstrom Tide.”
French Ambassador meets Dabbour, reiterates keenness on twostatesolution
NNA/February 05/2020
Palestinian Ambassador to Lebanon, Ashraf Dabbour, on Wednesday welcomed French Ambassador to Lebanon, Bruno Foucher, who reiterated during the meeting his country’s keenness on a two-state-solution, the right of return for refugees, and the illegitimacy of the existing settlements. “France’s position is clear in this regard,” Foucher affirmed. In turn, Dabbour briefed the French Ambassador on the official and unified Palestinian position rejecting the so-called deal of the century.
Protesters gather at Riad Solh Square
NNA/February 05/2020
Dozens of protesters have staged a symbolic sit in at Riad Solh Square in Central Beirut, chanting slogans refusing to “give confidence to Premier Hassan Diab’s government,” NNA Correspondent reported on Wednesday. Protesters have climbed the concrete wall and attempted to remove the iron barricade separating between Riad Solh Square and the Grand Serail. Protesters also threw stones at the security forces in front of the Serail.
NNA Director, Indian Ambassador discuss means to bolster media cooperation
NNA/February 05/2020
National News Agency Director, Ziad Harfouche, on Wednesday welcomed Indian Ambassador to Lebanon, Suhel Ajaz Khan, with whom he discussed the best means to boost media cooperation between Lebanon and India. For his part, the Indian diplomat reaffirmed his country’s support to Lebanon, especially amid the prevailing economic situation. He also stressed his country’s keenness on being part of UNIFIL’s peace keeping force in South Lebanon to help preserve peace and stability in the region. In turn, Mr. Harfouche lauded Lebanon’s historic and friendly relations with India and thanked Khan for the relentless support that his country has provided to Lebanon. He also confirmed the National News Agency’s eagerness to ink agreements with Indian media institutions.
Moucharafieh, EU Ambassador tackle socio-economic situation
NNA/February 05/2020
Social Affairs Minister, Professor Ramzi Moucharafieh, welcomed on Wednesday in his office at the Ministry the European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Ralph Tarraf, with whom he discussed the current socio-economic situation and means to address such challenges.
Najm meets with UN’s Kubis, Tarraf, Rampling
NNA/February 05/2020
Justice Minister, Marie-Claude Najm, on Wednesday held a series of meetings at the Ministry within the context of her action plan designed to reinforce the independence of the Lebanese judiciary, its transparency and effectiveness. These meetings majorly focused on issues related to judicial cooperation with the United Nations and the European Union. In this framework, Minister Najm met with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis, European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Ralph Tarraf, and British Ambassador to Lebanon, Chris Rampling, with means of bolstering judicial cooperation featuring high on their talks. On the other hand, Najm also met with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) Beirut Bureau chief, kevin Mannion.
Mechanic pursuer apprehended in North Lebanon over bribery
NNA/February 05/2020
North Lebanon Investigative Judge, Dany Al-Zeinni, on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant against N.J., who is a pursuer at the Department of Motor Vehicles (Mechanic) in North Lebanon, Jounieh, and Beirut, on charges of bribery. The Judge also summoned other brokers after finding out that some of them have been actively tracking applications in return for bribes whilst some are not even officially employed by the DMV.
Karpowership denies claims of leak from Powership Fatmagul Sultan
NNA/February 05/2020
Some media and social media platforms relayed claims that “The operations department of the General Directorate of Civil Defense received a notification on Monday at midnight (February 3, 2020), according to which, a large amount of fuel has leaked from the Powership Fatmagül (Sultan) after a pipe cracked while unloading the ship’s cargo at the Zouk thermal power plant, forming a thick layer of approximately ten centimeters on the surface of the water.”Karpowership, the owner and operator of Powerships Fatmagül Sultan and Orhan Bey, is keen to stress that its Powerships in Zouk and Jiyeh operate the most sophisticated purification and filtration systems, consequently preventing any harm to the sea water, in compliance with the highest environmental and safety standards applied worldwide. Karpowership confirms that the Powership Fatmagül Sultan is in no way related to the fuel leak mentioned in the claims today.
The aforementioned leak is due to a cracked pipe used to pump fuel into EDL tanks, and is not related in any form to the Powership Fatmgül Sultan. It is worth mentioning that Karpowership’s staff operating Fatmagül Sultan was completely mobilized to assist the Civil Defense units and the workers at EDL to contain the leak.-Karpowership press office
Maxence Duault appointed general director of ESA Business School
NNA/February 05/2020
The Supervisory Board of the ESA met at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris ?le-de-France (CCIR) on the 3rd of December 2019 in order to rule on the future executive management of the school. During the meeting, the CCIR nominated M. Maxence Duault as general director of the ESA. The proposition was accepted by the entire members of the counsel. ESA is specialized in the education and training of managers and executives and provides professional guidance to Lebanese companies. It is co-presided by the governor of the Bank of Lebanon M. Riad Salame and the Ambassador of France, M. Bruno Foucher. The school is managed by the CCIR Paris ?le-de-France as are other major business schools such as HEC Paris, ESCP Business School or ESSEC.
M. Duault has been serving as acting director since July 2019, after being one of the major deputies of Stephane Attali, former general director of the ESA, for the past nine years.
“It is an honor to take over the direction of this prestigious school that has never stopped innovating since its creation in 1995 and has managed to impose itself as a leading entity in management training and in the support of business companies in Lebanon and the region.
I thank all the members of the Surveillance Counsel of the ESA for their trust. I intent to assume these new functions with responsibility and to pursue the expansion of the ESA with respect to its history and culture.
I take this appointment thinking of our students, teachers, various partners as well as the ESA team members. Together, with the strength of the quality and values that are ours, and with respect to the legacy that Stephane Attali has transmitted over the last years, we will lead ESA into its next strategic phase.”
A future Palestine: Dubai or Lebanon?
Hussain Abdul-Hussain/Al Arabiya English/February 05/2020
Rewind to 2002. The Arab League had just endorsed its land-for-peace initiative, and late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was shouting “martyr, martyr, martyr” live on TV while under Israeli siege in his bedroom in Ramallah. Western journalists swarmed Lebanon’s refugee camps to add color to their coverage of the Arab League summit, and I was a fixer who translated what Palestinians wished to tell the world.
After showing the big keys and Ottoman titles of the houses they had abandoned in Palestine, refugees swore to fight to the last for their right of return. But when the cameras were switched off, one of them pulled me aside, and said: “My daughter is in Germany, maybe your journalist friends can help me move there with her.”
Having grown up in Lebanon, where only maximalist Palestinian demands sounded like a normal peace settlement, I was surprised. My refugee friend wanted to fight, but only on camera. In real life, like all of us, he just wanted a decent life. With time, I met Palestinians from the Territories who expressed similar sentiments. With a clear eye on their interests, rather than empty nationalistic slogans, these Palestinians got their break with the appointment of Salam Fayyad as prime minister in 2007, resulting in the onset of Fayyadism — a series of reforms and economic development — that have so far been the best government that Palestinians have ever had. But in the absence of elections, and because Fayyad had no political coalition behind him, Fatah and Hamas conspired to oust him, and went back to “government” as corrupt as usual.
President Donald Trump’s peace plan might seem to be a deflection of the Palestinians’ real problem. Should they accept his plan, they will end up with a mere 15 percent of the land of Mandatory Palestine, with a state that is barely autonomous, and not even sovereign.
Palestinian concerns might have been justified, if land were a prerequisite for economic development and growth in today’s world. Perhaps this was the case a century ago when the Palestinian-Israeli conflict first erupted, and for many decades that followed. But globalization has knocked out the agricultural and industrial sectors in small countries, including Israel itself, and has forced these countries to model their economies on the Asian Tigers, such as Singapore and Hong Kong. In the Middle East, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have endorsed this model with brilliant success, and Saudi Arabia too seems bent on implementing it as per its 2030 plan.
While Trump’s vision is scant on details, Palestinians will probably control areas A and B of the West Bank, as delineated by the 1993 Oslo Accord. Together, these two zones make 2,256 square kilometers, or 40 percent of the West Bank’s area of 5,640 square kilometers (including East Jerusalem). This territory houses 2.8 million, or 97 percent, of West Bank Palestinians. The rest of the West Bank, known as Area C, has been contested, and — in any settlement — will probably look like a web of intersecting highways and tunnels that should make the Palestinian state contiguous. A Palestinian state will also get the small and densely populated Gaza Strip, where 1.9 million Palestinians live in 369 square kilometers. Palestine will also get 350,000 Jerusalemites, along with their neighborhoods in the northeastern parts of the city. Per Trump’s plan, a Palestinian state will probably have a total area of 3,000 square kilometers, and a population of close to five million.
When compared to the Asian Tiger economies, Palestine will be five times as big as Singapore, and three times as big as Hong Kong. At five million, Palestine will be less densely populated than Singapore, with a population of 5.6 million, and Hong Kong, with 7.4 million. Even though much smaller and more crowded than a future Palestine, Singapore and Hong Kong currently have GDPs of $340 and $350 billion, respectively, compared to the puny GDP of the Palestinian Territories, at less than $15 billion.
Should Palestinians express interest in the deal, the promised $50 billion of economic aid might be drastically increased. This might give Palestinians a decade of rapid economic growth, which means a windfall of jobs, good revenue and prosperity for Palestinians, even if at the expense of sovereignty and most of their land.
But if sovereignty counted for anything, it would have made a country like Lebanon, fully sovereign, prosperous. Instead, Lebanon is broke, its economy in free fall, its currency losing its value by the day, and its people falling into poverty.
Trump’s peace plan forgoes all the injustices that have befallen Palestinians over the past century. But it does give them a clear choice: Do they want an autonomous state that looks like Dubai, or do they want a sovereign country that looks like Lebanon?
*Hussain Abdul-Hussain is an Iraqi-Lebanese columnist and writer. He is the Washington bureau chief of Kuwaiti daily al-Rai and a former visiting fellow at Chatham House in London. He tweets @hahussain.
Berytech opens applications for Batch 1 of its Cleanergy Accelerator Program
NNA/February 05/2020
Berytech has announced that applications for batch 1 of the Cleanergy Accelerator Program are now open with a deadline of April 15, 2020. Clean technologies are taking center stage in creating smarter and more sustainable ways of living in the face of quick evolving environmental challenges. Berytech is catalyzing cleantech innovations through a yearly three-phase program that allows cleantech entrepreneurs grow their startup from an idea into a scalable business.
The program walks these entrepreneurs through the journey of validating their product, building an MVP and testing it, establishing their business on different levels, scaling and fundraising by offering them the resources, knowledge, support and funding that they need.
The Cleanergy Accelerator Program is jointly funded by Berytech and The Kingdom of the Netherlands.
From an idea to a growing business in less than one year
Berytech is looking for innovations which have a disruptive scientific or technological focus in the cleantech sector. The startups must have the capability to scale beyond the Lebanese market but with the potential to create sustainable job opportunities locally.
Berytech will support the startups with innovations across the cleantech sector through the yearly 3-phase Cleanergy Accelerator by helping them grow their idea into a successful business with global impact. The program offers the necessary resources, knowledge, support, and funding worth around one hundred thousand US dollars – $100,000.
Why join the Cleanergy Accelerator Program?
Cleantech innovators and startups who qualify for the program will receive funding – up to $37K cash injection, will have access to Berytech’s electronics and hardware Fabrication Lab with technical support to prototype, will receive Business Coaching during bootcamps, training sessions and master classes to develop their entrepreneurial competencies, will be promoted in local and international markets as well as have the opportunity to link with the Cleantech community and a pool of dedicated Lebanese and European experts.
Who Can Apply?
The clean technology solution should include an innovative process, product, or service that reduces negative environmental impact. The entrepreneur needs to be part of a startup or SME at an idea or early stage.
Berytech is sourcing solutions that fall under these 5 sectors:
• Cleantech in energy (generation, storage, infrastructure, efficiency), energy creation solutions (wind, solar, water, biomass), energy efficiency and optimization, resource management systems, etc.
• Cleantech in solid waste management, source reduction and recycling, disposal capacity and second material market, waste management, and transportation, using the energy content of waste, etc.
• Cleantech in water and wastewater management, in monitoring forecasts and process controls, wastewater treatment, metals removal, etc.
• Cleantech in agriculture, in incorporating innovative hardware and software, in introducing AI, and IOT to agriculture, etc.
• Cleantech in transportation, innovations in public transportation, solutions to energy-efficient vehicles, the use of big data in transport management, smart car-sharing solutions, improving infrastructures, etc.
The Program
Up to 24 shortlisted applicants will first go through a two-month Validation phase. This first phase focuses on practical approaches to define objectives and validate assumptions about the problem, the opportunity, the market size, the audience, and the feasibility of the solution. Experts and mentors will follow-up and advise the startups on best practices to achieve validation. Startups accepted into the first phase will receive $2,000 to validate their ideas and prototypes.
Up to 12 startups will then be shortlisted and move to the 4-month Acceleration phase, to build a minimum viable product (MVP) and get traction with a $15,000 support grant. This phase focuses on operations, product development, business modeling, and go-to-market. Experts and mentors will follow-up and advise the startups on how to build and launch an MVP. Founders learn about product-market fit, how to communicate to the right audience, develop the basics of a sustainable financial structure to secure the stability and growth of the business, and clear all bottlenecks that limit their product delivery.
Typically, during acceleration, software startups finalize and launch an alpha version of their MVPs, and hardware startups clear all technical bottlenecks that limit them from delivering their product to market.
Finally, up to 8 startups will be shortlisted to join the 5-month incubation program and will benefit from up to $20,000 in matching grants. The incubation phase will focus on fundraising, operations, and building healthy client and investor relationships to gain traction and scale. Experts follow-up and advise startups on how to scale their businesses after launching their product in the market. Activities will include private and group interactions that enable the growth of startups participating in the group incubation phase, including workshops, meet-ups, talks, group pitching sessions, and a boot camp. Private interactions include clinics that tackle operations, finance, and investment readiness along with monthly review sessions to ensure that the startups are on the right path to achieve their objectives.—Berytech
