Positions

American Lebanese Foundation

For Lebanon and the Lebanese American Community

IT IS TIME TO STOP THE DETERIORATION OF THE LEBANESE STATE

01/19/2020

Those of us that follow and discuss the Lebanese situation with family and friends in the home country (whether they support the ongoing protests, apparently a majority, or the governing establishment, probably a minority) will find a common point of agreement unifying them with most expatriates and friends of Lebanon abroad. They all feel that the Lebanon we want, and love, may be dying, unless urgently needed corrective measures are implemented without further delay.

On October 24, 2019 the American Lebanese Foundation (ALF) proposed the steps needed for a reasonable and timely response to the broad leaderless protests which seemed legitimate, spontaneous, independent and encompassing most regions and denominations of Lebanon. We were encouraged by the resignation of the government within about a week, which satisfied our first suggestion. Shortly after we were gratified that the President declared his renewed commitment to the principle of separation of the executive from the legislative powers, by keeping the deputies away from the ministerial jobs, thus partially satisfying our second suggestion. However, since then the leaks of names of ministers under consideration seemed to ignore our additional recommendation that the ministers should be chosen based on their qualifications, expertise, integrity, and reputation, with some anticorruption history in their past. By qualifications we intended to suggest moderation and relative independence from political parties, radical ideologies or deep feudal roots.

Unfortunately, we heard again and again from members or supporters of the still leaderless protests that most of these requirements were ignored in the attempts to form the new government. The “Mouhasasa” appeared to still be the dominant factor and attempts were continuing to favor a politically one sided, confrontational group. Such choices may not be acceptable to the protestors and most likely will fail to satisfy the international community that can provide Lebanon with the financial support and liquidity, very necessary to avoid economic collapse. Since the protests started more than three months ago, new elements have appeared, making the situation much more dangerous. There are fake news and messages suggesting an unlikely US interference and small groups are trying to infiltrate the peaceful protests to destroy businesses and incite violence. The country should be very promptly reassured by the President that work is now oriented to form a “solution” and not a “confrontation” or divisive “Mouhasasa” government.

The needed “salvation ministerial cabinet” should have enough courage, credibility and neutrality to reassure the establishment and political parties that feel targeted by the protests, and the international community that can help stabilize and secure progress towards the confidence, indispensable for the revival that all Lebanese want. It should hopefully satisfy the requirements that will make the “Cedres” program ready for implementation. It will also be able to investigate the rumors of the “millions” or “billions” of US dollars or euros that were transferred out of Lebanon since the autumn of 2019, or whichever date the experts recommend. Such government can also review the situation of the banking system to make sure integrity and competence are adequate. An important objective should be to save and secure as much as possible, the bank deposits of the working citizens, particularly of the smaller ones, and those of the expatriates who were planning to retire in their mother country. The freezing and retrieval of any stolen monies, via corruption, may further facilitate the protection of the legitimate well-earned deposits.

The President may be the only leader who has the constitutional prerogative, the depth of knowledge and experience, the necessary alliances as well as the strength and moral authority to address and implement these difficult solutions. He has been patient long enough to allow various helpers to solve the problems. It is time to address them directly, working personally with the Prime Minister Designate and the Speaker of Parliament. If with their help the appropriate candidates can’t be found for the “Salvation Cabinet” we wish to tell him that he will not need to go looking on the moon, as he lamented in a previous TV interview. All he needs is call on us in the expatriate community and we will provide him with as many names as he may need, to choose from.

Once these urgent goals are met, the new government should establish a plan to prevent future corruption. It should also work towards a new electoral law based on the principle of “one person, one vote” and the smallest possible districts or preferably “individual districts”, that will allow a true representative body to emerge.

Some people are inclined to blame the confessional system for the current problems. While we agree that we should work towards eliminating the need for such system, we should recognize that at this point, the more important factors that got the country into this mess are corruption, selfish oriented policies and outside interference. These will be easier issues to address, first and foremost, and will help prepare the country for the smooth and safe elimination of the confessional system.

-back-