Positions

American Lebanese Foundation

For Lebanon and the Lebanese American Community

Statement on the Continued Crisis in Lebanon

03/16/2021

The American Lebanese Foundation (ALF) is touched and alarmed by the Lebanese Army Commander’s recent warning and polite criticism of the ruling political class and their failure to address the worsening multi-faceted disastrous crisis in Lebanon. His comments in front of army officers came as protestors, angry with Lebanon’s political class, blocked, on and off, major roads throughout the country. The protests are the result of an incompetent or negligent ruling political class that continues to focus on “mouhasasa” and selfish interests, as if unaware of the dangerous deterioration of the general situation in the country. A crash in the local currency value increased consumer goods prices and apparently made about 50% of Lebanese citizens unable to provide the vital necessities for their families. General Joseph Aoun stated that these financial and economic problems are hurting army soldiers and officers, whose salaries have lost value. Members of the military are suffering similarly to the rest of the people. He clearly stated that the army is aware and sympathetic to the people’s problems and should not interfere with the people’s rights to peaceful protest. He also vowed that the army is committed to protect civil peace and prevent acts of sabotage against public and private properties. The ALF sees the Lebanese Army position as concordant with the Maronite Patriarch’s recent appeal and the speeches of several Sunni, Shia and Druze patriotic sheiks.

ALF would have certainly wished that the political leaders in power did their job for which they were elected or appointed so that neither the religious nor military leaders need to speak out. Unfortunately, politicians in power failed to focus on protecting the interests and stability of the Lebanese people. Their neglect of long overdue reforms caused or at least contributed to the destruction of the great old Lebanese banking system and may now threaten the unity, efficacy and even viability of the Lebanese Army. In view of the politicians’ neglects and failures that allowed Lebanon to deteriorate to the current shameful and dangerous level, we should probably be thankful that religious and military leaders are speaking out and further alerting the expatriate community and the true friends of Lebanon that more help is needed.

I wish to remind the few friends we may still have in the political establishment that ALF, back in November 2018, under the leadership of my predecessor Dr. Robert Chahine, strongly recommended the formation of a reformist unity government, in which fighting corruption should be the unifying common denominator. We postulated that even the most corrupt persons, with access to power can’t defend corruption publicly and will have to accept and support such government. We now note that President Macron who is trying to help, is demanding the formation of a new independent government, with characteristics similar to what we have been proposing, and we sincerely hope that the Lebanese President cooperates for prompt relief of the Lebanese people and stabilization of the State.

While listening to the Lebanese Army Commander General, we were gratified to hear that he and the army continue to receive vital help from friendly governments. To the best of our knowledge, the Lebanese expatriate community, the ALF included, have always been committed to the support of the Lebanese Army, which we see as the symbol of Lebanon’s unity and the prime defender of the State. ALF calls on all Lebanese expatriates to show their support of the Lebanese Armed Forces by creating and developing supporting strategies to research, analyze, and foster strong stability for Lebanese soldiers and their families. The Lebanese Army is the only institution left that truly represents the people of Lebanon.

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