English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For July 16/2020
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
The Bulletin's Link on the lccc Site
http://data.eliasbejjaninews.com/eliasnews19/english.july16.20.htm
News Bulletin Achieves Since
2006
Click Here to enter the LCCC Arabic/English news bulletins Achieves since 2006
Bible Quotations For today
Do not rejoice at this,
that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in
heaven.’
Luke 10/17-20: “The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in
your name even the demons submit to us!’He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall
from heaven like a flash of lightning.See, I have given you authority to tread
on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will
hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you,
but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on July 15-16/2020
91 New COVID-19 Cases and 1 More Death in Lebanon
MoPH: Six coronavirus cases among returnees on 13/7/2020
Health Ministry: 91 new Coronavirus cases
Cabinet delays Alain Biffany’s resignation, approves sentinels appointments in
favor of custom control
President Aoun asks Energy Minister to supply all needs of Rafic Hariri Hospital
with diesel oil, instructs Presidential Palace and Army to provide reserve
quantities for hospital
Ibrahim Meets Saudi Ambassador, Says 'No Siege' on Govt.
Report: No Gulf Deposits for Lebanon, Qatari Delegation to Visit Beirut Soon
Report: Lebanon Seeks to Extend UNIFIL Mandate, Washington Could Halt Funding
Lebanon Must Stay Neutral to Stave off Poverty, Urges Rai
Support for Lebanese Maronite patriarch against Hezbollah widening
Diab Accuses Politicians of Blocking Aid to Lebanon
As Prices Soar, Lebanon Hikes Public Transport Costs
Lebanon Increases Public Transport Tariff as Crisis Drags
Lebanon Looks to China as U.S., Arabs Refuse to Help in Crisis
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published on July 15-16/2020
At least 7 Iranian ships in flames at Bushehr port. New US warning/DEBKAfile/July
15/2020
Trump Warns Iran against Execution of Three over Protests
Iran seeks pressure on dissidents, minorities through executions
Pro-Iran forces seek to topple Iraqi PM over ties to US
Iraq PM Expected to Visit Saudi Arabia ‘Very Soon’
Iraqi Government Faces Power Outage Challenge
11 European Ministers Call for Quick Action against Israel’s Annexation Plan
Palestinian Waqf Challenges Israeli Court Order: Bab al-Rahma will Remain Open
Russian MP Backs Libyan Parliament’s Call for Egyptian Military Intervention
Medical Syndicate: 112 Doctors Died of Coronavirus in Egypt
Egypt Demands Clarifications as Ethiopia Denies it Has Started Filling Nile Dam
U.S. Ups Battle against Huawei as China Tensions Soar
Amine Gemayel tackles overall situation with US ambassador
Demonstration sets out from theTourism Ministry towards Moucharafieh's residence
in Hamra
Ramco announces vacancies for Lebanese workers
Diab meets delegation of Economic and Social Council’s Office Authority
Sami Gemayel: Why does Hezbollah not hand over weapons to government?
Titles For The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on July 15-16/2020
Hindi: Erdogan, a jihadist with a necktie/Dr. Toufic Hindi/AMCFD/July
15/2020
German gov’t removes Taiwan flag, permits Palestinian flag/Benjamin Weinthal/he
Jerusalem Post/July 15/2020
Netanyahu aide said to admit US in no mood for annexation, so PM won’t go ahead
Jacob Magid/The Times Of Israel/July 15/2020/
A Lower Death Rate Doesn’t Make the US Covid Surge OK/Max Nisen/Bloomberg/July
15/2020
The ECB Can't Slow its Stimulus Buying Yet/Ferdinando Giugliano/Bloomberg/July
15/2020
The Latest English LCCC Lebanese &
Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on July 15-16/2020
91 New COVID-19 Cases and 1 More
Death in Lebanon
Naharnet/July 15/2020
Lebanon on Wednesday recorded a new surge in the number of its confirmed
coronavirus cases. In its daily statement, the Health Ministry said 68 residents
and 23 expats had tested positive for coronavirus over the past 24 hours.
One more death was also recorded, raising the death toll to 38, while the
overall tally of cases increased to 2,542 -- among them 1,455 recoveries. The 23
infected expats had arrived in recent days from Belarus, Ivory Coast, Ghana,
Liberia, Egypt, Kuwait and Turkey. Thirty-two of the local cases were meanwhile
recorded in Baabda district, 11 in Aley district, six in Northern Metn, three in
Chouf district, two in each of Beirut and Sidon district, and one in each of
Keserwan’s Dlibta, Baalbek’s al-Taybeh, Tyre’s Bourj al-Shamali and Bint Jbeil’s
Khirbet Selm. The locations of eight cases are still under investigation, the
Ministry added.
MoPH: Six coronavirus cases among returnees on 13/7/2020
NNA/July 15/2020
The Ministry of Public Health on Wednesday announced the results of PCR tests
that were conducted on July 13, 2020 at Beirut airport.
According to the Ministry, six passengers, one aboard a flight arriving from
Doha, one aboard a flight arriving from Bella Russia, two aboard a flight
arriving from Kuwait, and two aboard a flight arriving from Istanbul have tested
positive for the novel coronavirus. It is to note that all the other flights
that arrived in Beirut on that day were found virus-free.
Health Ministry: 91 new Coronavirus cases
NNA/July 15/2020
The Ministry of Public Health announced on Wednesday the registration of
91 new cases of Coronavirus infections, thus raising the cumulative number of
confirmed cases to-date to 2542. 68 cases were locally detected and 23 among
returnees.
Cabinet delays Alain Biffany’s resignation, approves
sentinels appointments in favor of custom control
NNA/July 15/2020
Cabinet session of July 14, 2020:
President Aoun: “Everything said about the economic situation does not alter our
conviction and commitment in working to achieve the financial and economic
rescue plan, in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund”.
President Aoun called for speeding up the implementation of taken decisions, and
reforms demanded by the international community.
The Prime Minister confirmed continuous work despite all difficulties, and
revealed an encouraging atmosphere from Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar.
PM Diab: “We have reports of plans to block the Government’s work from within
the administration. Some are making contacts to persuade the Arab countries not
to assist Lebanon”.
President Michel Aoun asserted that “Everything said about the economic
situation should not change our conviction and commitment to work towards
achieving the financial and economic rescue plan, in cooperation with the
International Monetary Fund”, stressing the necessity of implementation of
measures taken to reduce public spending, and thus reducing deficits.
President Aoun also called for addressing the economic and social conditions and
speeding up the implementation of taken decisions, as well as the reforms
demanded by the international community which would tackle economic and
financial conditions that Lebanon currently suffers from.
For his part, Prime Minister, Dr. Hassan Diab, affirmed that he would continue
to work despite all difficulties. “We have an encouraging atmosphere from our
brothers in Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar. Our negotiations with the IMF are
continuous. I believe that there is a positive change that is taking place on
some external stances from our Government” PM Diab stated.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the Government is concerned with dealing
with problems, but the supervisory, security and judicial bodies must keep pace
with this work momentum, revealing the existence of reports to “Block the
Government from within the administration”. PM Diab also noted that “There are
those who make extensive contacts and strenuous efforts to persuade Arab
countries which have a desire to help Lebanon, not to provide any assistance.
What we have heard from our brothers in Arab countries about contacts by some
Lebanese politicians is really shameful”.
Stances of the President, and Prime Minister, came at the beginning of a Cabinet
session held today at 11:00am, in Baabda Palace. The Cabinet took a series of
decisions, most notably the delay in deciding the resignation of General
Director of the Finance Ministry, Mr. Alain Biffany, and the initial approval of
the displaced Syrians paper, in addition to requesting the Supreme Consultative
Authority at the Justice Ministry to express its opinion on the permission to
resume investment of quarries of existing and operating dust companies in
Lebanon. The Cabinet also decided to approve the appointment of the successful
teams in the match that was held to adapt the sentries in favor of customs
officer.
Cabinet Statement:
After the session ended, Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad read the
following statement:
“The Council of Ministers held a session this afternoon in the Baabda Palace,
headed by His Excellency President Michel Aoun, and attended by the Prime
Minister and ministers.
At the beginning of the session, the President pointed out that there are basic
items on the agenda that must be studied and approved, pointing to the increased
“Corona” virus spread during the past days, which requires a review of the
measures that have been taken and expedited implementation to besiege the
pandemic and prevent its spread on a large scale, stressing the necessity to
adhere to preventive measures and procedures.
His Excellency also called on the necessity to address economic and social
conditions and accelerate the implementation of the decisions taken in
implementation, as well as the reforms demanded by the international community
which would address the economic and financial conditions that Lebanon is
currently suffering from. Then, His Excellency said that everything said about
the economic situation should not change our conviction and commitment to work
for achieving the financial and economic rescue plan, in cooperation with the
International Monetary Fund, stressing the implementation of the measures taken
to reduce public spending and thus reducing the deficit.
Then, PM Diab spoke:
“Challenges in front of our country, the difficulties accumulate, the obstacles
increase, and the political investment turns into a profession of falsifying and
obliterating facts.
We all bear this, and more, but unfortunately, some have gone too far with this
behavior, and the data in our hands confirms that those who committed sins,
major sins, in the country are determined to destroy the last stone in it. When
these people try to block any aid to Lebanon, what are they doing?
You know that contacts with our brothers in Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar, and with our
friends in the world, are witnessing positive and encouraging development in
helping Lebanon. We dig in the rock so we can alleviate the size of the
country’s crisis. On the other hand, there are some who still insist on
increasing Lebanese suffering. How can anyone imagine that someone with a
minimum level of national affiliation is making extensive contacts and strenuous
efforts to persuade Arab countries that have a desire to help Lebanon, not to
offer any help ?!
Is it possible that there is a Lebanese thinking like this ?! Is it conceivable
that there is a political official who has a national conscience, and is trying
to prevent aid to Lebanon under these circumstances!? Is it conceivable that
there is a partisan official concerned to block any aid to Lebanon? This is
defective, and closer to national treason. What we heard from our brothers in
the Arab countries about the contacts from some Lebanese politicians, is indeed
shameful.
I could not imagine that there is a Lebanese who could think of conspiring
against his country and his people to increase their suffering, for the sake of
his political calculations.
Reports of attempts to disrupt Government action from inside are simple compared
to what they are doing abroad.
We have reports of a plan to block the Government from within the
administration. I was under so much pressure to change the “Tools”, on the
understanding that we could not work with others’ “Tools”. I insist that these
are the state’s “Tools” and not “Tools” of political forces or others, although
I implicitly know what is going on from the fabricated obstacles: in Dollars,
high prices, electricity, waste, diesel, gasoline, turbine and other files. We
work with a national background, not with personal or political backgrounds.
That is why I held onto the same “Tools”. However, these “Tools” have become
very exposed.
In any case, we are continuing our work, despite difficulties. We have an
encouraging atmosphere for our brothers in Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar. Our
negotiations with the IMF are continuous. And I think there is a positive change
that is taking place on some external stances of the Government. As for the IMF,
the situation has been resolved clearly. They were accusing the Government of
not submitting the Capitol Control project. We had discussed the project for a
month, upon the proposal of the Finance Minister, before it was withdrawn. Then
the Parliament put forward a law proposal, and it was also discussed and reached
no result.
Today the IMF clearly indicates that this is one of the basics and asserts that
the government figures are the correct ones, so why do we continue to waste
time?
At this time, we must continue to address the acute crises in the country.
No trader has been arrested or prosecuted even though prices are increasing and
unchecked. Diesel dealers control the market and sell diesel on the black
market. Politics traders play with the Dollar rate. Protest movements by
companies, contractors, and sectors, some of which are suspicious of timing
targets, and which carry either political dimensions or blackmailing the state.
The Government is concerned with tackling these problems, but the supervisory,
security and judicial organizations must keep pace with this work. Performance
activation, and practical solutions are required.
One last point. As I said more than a month ago, we expect a second wave of the
Corona Virus during July if protection and prevention measures are not adhered
to. It is clear that this wave will be higher and more dangerous than the
previous one. Therefore, we have to return to strict procedures, because we do
not want to close the country again. The economic situation cannot bear such a
decision. The alternative is topical isolation and strict measures to prevent
the spread of the pandemic. We are trying to take advantage of the summer season
and open the airport. On the other hand, we do not want to underestimate the
force of this virus.
After that, the Cabinet presented the items on the agenda and took the following
decisions:
1- Pending the decision in resignation of the Director General of the Ministry
of Finance, Mr. Alain Biffany.
2- Initial approval of the paper on the displaced Syrians, provided that the
Ministerial Committee formed in accordance with Resolution No. 1 of 28/20/2020
and its annexes (the Follow-up Committee for the Return of Syrian Displaced
Persons to their country in Safety and Dignity), follow up on its provisions in
order to put it into practice and present the result to Council of Ministers.
3- The Environment Minister presented some inconsistencies in the approach to
the legal framework that allows soil companies to use their quarries to extract
raw materials for production, and asked the Cabinet to consult the supreme
advisory body in the Ministry of Justice in this regard, in order to build on
its requirements.
For their part, both the Industry and Economy Ministers asked that provisional
companies be permitted to work in their quarries due to the exceptional
circumstances the country is going through.
First - In support of Article 13 of Legislative Decree No. 150/1983 (Organizing
the Ministry of Justice), requesting the Supreme Consultative Body to express an
opinion on the issues raised by the Ministry of Environment related to the
following topics:
• Is it permissible to allow the resumption of the investment of quarries of
existing and operating dust companies? Or does it require resorting to a
qualifying investment as proposed in the draft decree approved by the Council of
Ministers in accordance with Resolution No. 1 of 9/17/2019? Or is it sufficient
to qualify only as stated in Decree 8803/2002 and its amendments (that is,
without qualification including any investment)?
• What is the legal justification for authorizing investment or qualifying
investment or qualification in the quarries of existing and operating companies?
Is it possible for this legal text to be fragmented, that is, to note the issue
of quarries of earthen companies and no other quarries?
• So who is the party that is currently intending to decide on this?
Provided that two legal men are appointed as required by Article 13 mentioned by
the Council of Ministers at the next session of the government.
Second: Permitting the dust companies, exceptionally and for a trial period, to
implement the site rehabilitation project as required by the laws and
regulations in effect and submitted by them to the Ministry of Environment, and
for a maximum period of three months from the date of the use of their equipment
to carry out the rehabilitation process referred to above within the framework
of strict participatory control carried out by Follow-up Committees chaired by a
representative of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the membership
of representatives from: the Presidency of the Republic, the Ministry of
Environment, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of
Agriculture, the Union of Municipalities concerned, every municipality in which
the company or quarry is located within its scope, the operating dust companies,
Higher education bodies and two non-profit organizations in civil society.
Third: The committees referred to above will start their work within a maximum
period of five days from the date of this decision to determine the
qualification sites and the conditions related to this work, after which the
companies will resume their activities in the trial period to implement the site
rehabilitation project according to the conditions set by the committees
Exceptionally, it is awaiting the opinion of the Supreme Consultative Committee
referred to in the first item.
Fourth: The committee mentioned in the second item shall report to the Prime
Minister periodically and every 15 days to verify companies’ compliance with the
exceptional conditions set by the participatory oversight committees.
Fifth: The foregoing mentioned does not in any way create any acquired right for
the operating and existing companies and is not considered a settlement of its
current status.
4- Approving bills related to correcting laws related to cutting off the general
budget account and the attached budgets from the year 1997 to 2003 implicitly,
and draft decrees referring them to the House of Representatives.
5- Approving a draft law related to cutting the general budget account and
attached budgets for the year 2018 and a draft decree referring it to the
Parliament.
6- The Cabinet decided to approve the appointment of the successful teams in the
match that took place to adapt the sentries in favor of the customs officer,
according to the order of their success in the match, and in a manner that takes
into account the requirements of national reconciliation and coexistence.
7- Mandating the Minister of Administrative Development to prepare a file on
illegal employment, and submit a detailed report in this regard to the Council
of Ministers within a maximum period of one month from its date.
Questions & Answers:
Then a dialogue took place between Minister Abdel Samad and journalists. She was
asked about the political parties that PM Diab talked about and that are working
against the interest of Lebanon and about the Arab brothers who told him in
light of the perpetual ignorance of the subject. “I have appointed them, and the
decision to announce the names is up to the Prime Minister and it is not my
authority to disclose them” Abdel Samad said.
Asked about the reservation of some ministers about the item related to the
appointment of customs officers, she replied that “This issue is controversial
and we stress on the right of these people to do the job, especially after the
delay that has occurred in their appointment since 2015. Then, the decision was
issued based on Article 95 of the Constitution, which stipulates the appointment
in consideration of competence and merit, taking into account the requirements
of national reconciliation and coexistence stipulated in the introduction to the
constitution”.
Question: “Is it reasonable for the Lebanese people to believe that a party
official is pushing any Arab country to refrain from assisting Lebanon and from
PM Diab’s talk about the authorities that prevent the government from carrying
out its work?
Answer: “PM Diab spoke about his attempts to block these projects, and he did
not say that the decisions were changed in the light of specific interventions.
Of course, things were set in perspective and we are promised positive news”.
Asked about not holding the people, which the Prime Minister spoke about,
responsible, the Information Minister said: “God willing, it is assumed that all
the relevant authorities and agencies should move within the relevant framework
in addition to the judicial bodies, or that the matter may be limited to a
political answer. Regarding postponing the decision on the resignation of the
Director General of Finance and the anatomical audit, she clarified that the
issue of Biffany’s resignation was controversial, and the Cabinet decided to
wait until it was decided that there was harm to the administration, so that if
it was done, the matter might hinder negotiations and management in light of the
current crisis. “He insisted on resigning, and the issue was controversial
between acceptance and lack thereof, but what is certain is that there is a
determination by him to accept the resignation” Abdel Samad added.
On accusing the government of not defending its plan, she replied: “Biffany
suggested that he would have wished the Government to defend his positions more
in the hope that these matters would be clarified later”.
“The government was in the process of discussing the plan with the concerned
authorities and is the negotiating body, i.e. the International Monetary Fund,
so all the arguments, proofs and evidence were directed to it, and the greatest
evidence for this is the Fund’s approval of the Government figures as a result
of its conviction of these numbers. Certainly, there were some media appearances
to address the public with this plan, but the main objective was to go to the
negotiating body to try to negotiate. The Government has achieved its goals in
the hope that this message will reach abroad” Minister Abdel Samad continued.
Regarding her position towards the resignation, she replied: “There was
insistence from the general manager and it is not permissible for a person to
force resignation, and he gave considerations that I was convinced of,
especially since we were, sharing the same administration and the same
circumstances. In light of certain facts, I considered that he had the right to
request the resignation, but I hoped that he would continue negotiations because
accepting negotiations with the IMF was a fundamental decision, as well as
accepting the fund for the plan. Lebanon’s interest requires that we continue to
negotiate with the people who contributed to the plan”.
As for the topic of criminal scrutiny, the Information Minister said: “We are
all insisting on it, and there was a proposal to include the institutions that
are wasted, such as the Electricity Authority of Lebanon in the absence of
financial data for a while, because its expenditures constitute two billion
Dollars a year and cost 47 billion, or 40 percent of the public debt. And there
were some suggestions for that. As for Kroll, we have already taken a decision,
but after the ministers opposed it and FTI, the Finance Minister today presented
six other companies whose files and costs are studied and we are supposed to
discuss them in the next Tuesday session, and there is insistence that the
decision be fast and effective”.Finally, regarding Lebanon TV appointments, she
stated: “The second screening stage is over and the issue is currently in the
custody of the Civil Service Council. I have no result now, and I am supposed to
report it between today and tomorrow, in which the names are still not revealed
at interviews. And I confirm, from this platform, to continue to work with the
mechanism because it is the base, and consider it objective and transparent. In
my discretionary powers, I saw that I was going into an objective, transparent
and continuous way in this matter until the last, and, God willing, there will
be no battle because everyone agrees to deliver the most qualified and worthy”.
-- Presidency media office
President Aoun asks Energy Minister to supply all needs of
Rafic Hariri Hospital with diesel oil, instructs Presidential Palace and Army to
provide reserve quantities for hospital
NNA/July 15/2020
The President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, affirmed that “The forced
completion of the file of missing and forcibly disappeared people turns a
painful page of the pages of the Lebanese war, especially in terms of knowing
their fate”, pointing out that “This matter is their families’ right”. The
President indicated that he had called, a long time ago, to end this pending
file, since “It is not possible to demand the families of the missing and
forcibly disappeared, to forgive without clarifying circumstances of
disappearance or loss”.
President Aoun’s positions came during his reception the National Commission for
Missing and Forcibly Disappeared members, who swore their oaths, on the occasion
of foundation of the commission.
President Aoun stated that “A delicate task faces the commission, which must be
dealt with responsibly, with patriotism and humanitarian spirit, since this
issue concerns all the Lebanese from different families, and it is an integral
part of the state’s work to preserve human rights”. The President then asked
commission members to “Work with a unified spirit and launch a national workshop
in which everyone would contribute to distinctly end this humanitarian file”.
Then, members of the commission took an oath before the President of the
Republic. Members are: Judge Joseph Maamari, Walid Abu Dayyeh, Dolly Farah, Ziad
Ashour, Adib Nehmeh, Carmen Abou Jaoudeh, Wadad Mrad, and Joyce Nassar.
Afterwards, they thanked President Aoun for his efforts since before his
election, as an MP and President, in dealing with the file of missing persons,
and his suggestions of laws during his parliamentary duties, in this context.
Finally, Commission members promised President Aoun not to spare any effort to
achieve all goals, and solve this delicate humanitarian issue, hoping that they
will always receive the necessary support from the President of the Republic.
Tunisian Ambassador:
President Aoun then received Tunisian Ambassador, Mohammed Karim Bodali, at
Baabda Palace, on a farewell visit to mark the end of his duties in Lebanon.
The President noted Bodali’s efforts during his stay in Lebanon, in enhancing
Lebanese-Tunisian relations. In appreciation and acknowledgment to Bodali’s
accomplishments, President Aoun granted him the National Cedar Medal (Rank of
Senior Officer), wishing him success in his new missions.
Dr. Jarjoura Hardan:
After that, the President met his personal representative to the International
“La Francophonie” Organization, Dr. Jarjoura Hardan, who briefed him on the
deliberations in the Permanent Council of the organization.
Dr. Hardan also briefed President Aoun on his intervention which focused on the
importance of internal dialogue, and regional and international dialogue, to
seek a solution to Palestinian and Syrian refugee issues, which are costing
Lebanon high prices. Then, Dr. Hardan pointed out that the meeting dealt with
the launch of the “Human Academy for Meeting and Dialogue”, indicating that the
Permanent Council of “La Francophonie” expressed support for Lebanon in the
current difficult circumstances.
Rafic Hariri Government Hospital:
On the other hand, and immediately after the President was informed of the need
of Rafic Hariri University Hospital for diesel to operate generators, he called
the Energy Minister, Raymond Ghajar, and asked him to secure a quantity of
diesel for the Hospital. The President also instructed Presidential Palace, and
Army, departments to send a quantity of their reserves to secure the Hospital’s
needs, praising the medical and humanitarian work carried out by the hospital,
especially in facing Corona virus. -- Presidency media office
Ibrahim Meets Saudi Ambassador, Says 'No Siege' on
Govt.
Naharnet/July 15/2020
General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim held talks Wednesday with Saudi
Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari, following a visit to Kuwait to explore the
possibility of economic assistance.
"We consider Saudi Arabia as the gateway for Arab states and we're not seeking
to join any alignment," said Ibrahim after the meeting at the envoy's residence
in Yarze. "Saudi Arabia is Lebanon's big brother," he added. "No one is
besieging the government and it is working and will continue to work, and the
people will judge the results," Ibrahim went on to say. "I informed the Saudi
ambassador of what we are doing, and nothing prevents to witness the beginning
and the end in Saudi Arabia," the general added. Reassuring that "the atmosphere
is very positive," Ibrahim said he is seeking common grounds that would benefit
both Lebanon and the countries he is visiting. "I'm not requesting bank deposits
and there is Arab economic integration from which Lebanon and the Arab states
should benefit," Ibrahim went on to say. Ibrahim had visited Kuwait in recent
days at the instructions of President Michel Aoun. The visit followed phone
talks between Aoun and Kuwait's ruler Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah.
Report: No Gulf Deposits for Lebanon, Qatari
Delegation to Visit Beirut Soon
The Gulf’s stance towards Lebanon’s economic crisis is “not clear
yet” after recent meetings held by General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim in
Kuwait and Qatar, but it was reportedly affirmed that none of the Gulf countries
plan to deposit funds at Lebanese banks, al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday.
Political sources who spoke on condition of anonymity told the daily that Qatari
officials had clear words with Lebanese officials regarding direct financial
aid, frankly pointing out "there will be no Gulf deposits in Lebanese banks.”But
they expressed willingness to “provide a gift to Beirut Governmental Hospital,
and purchase agricultural crops, participating in the government program for the
poor families,” said the sources. Kuwait had no different position than Qatar,
according to the sources. “The sole step taken by Kuwait towards Lebanon was by
encouraging its citizens to visit Lebanon after the opening of the airports,”
hinting that “no one would take an initiative towards Lebanon before Saudi
Arabia does.”“The high expectations set by some are unrealistic, because the US
administration's decision is clear to place Lebanon in near isolation, and no
country will go to break this decision,” the sources told al-Akhbar. Ibrahim had
spoken with Qatari and Kuwaiti authorities last week on joint cooperation
between Lebanon, Kuwait and Qatar and the capabilities that would ease the
Lebanese crisis, starting with fuel derivatives, deposit of funds, tourism and
commercial exchange.
They said a Qatari delegation could visit Lebanon soon.
Report: Kuwait Busts Money Laundering Web Tied to Hizbullah
Naharnet/July 15/2020
Kuwait has busted a money laundering network linked to Lebanon’s Hizbullah after
several months of surveillance and investigations, a media report published
Wednesday said. “Security agencies raided a chalet in the Bnaider area which was
inhabited by the network’s mastermind -- an Iranian resident who is married to a
Kuwaiti citizen,” Kuwait’s al-Jarida newspaper quoted unnamed sources as saying,
adding that the busted web is linked to Lebanon’s Hizbullah. “The agencies
raided four other locations that were being used by the suspect -- a house, a
ranch in Wafra and two apartments in the capital and Salmiya,” the daily quoted
an official Kuwaiti Interior Ministry statement as saying. Security forces found
“luxury and classic cars, four-wheel ATVs, expensive watches and jewelry, sums
of local and foreign currencies and several boxes of liquor,” the Ministry
added. The sources meanwhile told the daily that investigations have revealed
that the suspected network had been practicing its activities for the past five
years and that it also comprises two Kuwaitis, an Egyptian and an Iraqi-Belgian
citizen. “The operations were being carried out through a bank in the Gulf and
the money was being sent to a regional state,” the sources added. “These four
suspects confessed to being middlemen for their boss and that their role had
been limited to buying and selling at his orders,” the sources went on to say.
The main suspect meanwhile confessed to having “broad relations with state
officials” in Kuwait in addition to close ties to a number of people convicted
in another case, the sources added. “Some of the suspects reportedly held
auctions on social networking websites and sold cars and expensive watches and
jewelry worth over three million dinars,” the sources said. The report comes
after General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim held talks with Kuwaiti
officials to explore means through which the Gulf state can help Lebanon
economically.
Report: Lebanon Seeks to Extend UNIFIL Mandate, Washington Could Halt Funding
Naharnet/July 15/2020
Political circles in Lebanon await to see whether the term of UNIFIL forces
operating in southern Lebanon will be renewed in implementation of international
resolution 1701, amid international and regional conflicts threatening
heightened tension between the U.S. and Iran and its “strategic ally Hizbullah,”
Asharq el-Awsat reported on Wednesday. The UNIFIL extension coincides with the
expected ruling on July 22 of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the
assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005. It also coincides
with the start of trials in two assassination attempts against MP Marwan Hamadeh,
Elias el-Murr, and the assassination of George Hawi because of the links between
these crimes, mainly that the accused are members of Hizbullah, added the daily.
The extension of the UNIFIL mandate also coincides with the repeated calls of
Maronite Patriarch Beshara el-Rai to “neutralize” Lebanon from the regional
conflicts and lifting the siege off its national decision. Rahi's calls reflect
concerns of the international community and Vatican regarding the situation in
Lebanon. The Patriarch's calls were met with internal support from effective
political forces seeing his rhetoric is drawing a line of salvation to save the
country.
His calls to neutralize Lebanon, implement international decisions, and extend
the state’s authority over all its lands did not draw any reaction from the
Shiite Duo (Hizbullah and AMAL party), nor from President Michel Aoun and Prime
Minister Hassan Diab. They have not made any communication with Bkirki after
Rahi's remarks, added the daily. Moreover, Washington insinuated that it could
refrain from funding the peacekeeping force and its need to support the Lebanese
army in order to implement resolution 1701, which may result in a reduction of
its forces. Western diplomatic sources told the newspaper that “every time the
extension of UNIFIL was asked, Washington demanded an expansion of their powers
in terms of extending it towards the international borders of Lebanon with
Syria, and the necessity of activating its role in the south. This however
clashes with Hizbullah's positions incessantly seeking to impede the mission of
these forces.” “Washington believes that military and security “cohabitation” is
no more allowed between the UNIFIL, the Lebanese army units and Hizbullah-- that
impedes the mission of UNIFIL and prevents it from entering the villages and
towns under the pretext it is not permissible to penetrate into areas that are
considered private property,” concluded the sources.
Lebanon Must Stay Neutral to Stave off
Poverty, Urges Rai
Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 15 July, 2020
Lebanon needs to stay neutral to be saved from hunger and poverty, Maronite
Patriach Beshara al-Rai said on Wednesday, urging Lebanese to keep out of
conflicts in Arab countries but denying he was referring specifically to the
Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Rai spoke after meeting President Michel Aoun.
Lebanon is in the throes of an acute financial crisis seen as the worst threat
to its stability since the 1975-90 civil war. The crisis is rooted in decades of
state corruption and bad governance by the sectarian ruling elite. nIn his last
two sermons, Rai made comments that were widely interpreted as criticism of both
Hezbollah and its ally Aoun. On Wednesday, the patriarch said his comments had
been misunderstood. “We will not be saved from the state we are in today - the
economic problem, poverty and hunger - other than through neutrality,” Rai said
told reporters after the meeting.
Lebanon should not get into “political or military struggles or alliances” in
the Arab world. Asked if he was speaking about Hezbollah, he said: “On the
contrary, I told the president I mean everyone”.Rai also warned that poverty and
unemployment were leaving the door open for foreign interference in Lebanon,
without giving details.
Support for Lebanese Maronite patriarch
against Hezbollah widening
The Arab Weekly/July 15/2020
BEIRUT--The political front opposing the Lebanese Hezbollah movement and
supporting Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai’s position in favour of
preserving the country’s “neutrality” appears to be growing. Al-Rai, who has
emerged as a strong critic of Hezbollah’s efforts to control state institutions,
recently received support from Suleiman Frangieh, head of the Marada movement,
who after visiting the Maronite patriarch in the patriarchal residence in Diman,
said he is “ready for any national meeting that saves Lebanon and has a clear
vision to change the status quo.” “We came to visit the patriarch al-Rai in
Diman, which is a regular annual visit. The gentleness that we see here is a
father’s gentleness, and we always come to give our opinion and listen to the
view of our patriarch,” Frangieh said. Asked about the prospect of holding an
inclusive national meeting, Frangieh said: “We are present in any initiative
that could lead to saving Lebanon and includes a clear vision to change the
current status quo.”The Marada leader said the patriarch’s concerns for the
country and its future are widely shared. He said the two held talks on the
issue and that Marada agreed with the majority of al-Rai’s positions and concern
for the country’s future. Frangieh stressed that the priority is to bring
Lebanon out of its stalemate and forge a solution that satisfies the Lebanese
people. “There must be national responsibility in these circumstances to get out
of the current stalemate, and end the tense climate of retaliation, revenge and
blame – a climate that won’t lead to a solution,” he said. Frangieh added that
extensive effort would be required to bring Lebanon out of its economic crisis.
“The economic challenge is a national responsibility that everyone should bear,
and it is a priority today to deal with this challenge so as to restore
confidence and attract investments. We must all work together to overcome this
crisis,” he said. Although Frangieh kept the door open to working with Hezbollah
by saying that the crisis must be addressed without retaliation and blame, his
statements were politically calculated, especially with talk of Hezbollah
possibly abandoning the Marada leader in upcoming presidential elections in
2022. Many Lebanese political sources say that Frangieh, who supports the
Maronite patriarch’s initiative, is trying to compensate for political losses
previously caused by a lack of support from Hezbollah, which favoured Gebran
Bassil. Hezbollah’s backing apparently helped Bassil, Frangieh’s rival, score
important political gains that enabled him to garner more popular support.
However, the political class opposing Hezbollah, which has been divided in
recent years, is now gaining strength with the Maronite Patriarch’s bold move.
This could mean that Hezbollah’s influence over the government could be limited.
While Lebanon is having a hard time convincing allied and Western countries to
provide financial aid, the Maronite patriarch’s statements indicate the possible
creation of a united opposition front that could earn the country a vote of
confidence.
Political parties are betting on the patriarch’s ability to help create this
front, taking into account his call for “Lebanon’s neutrality” that has been
supported by Western countries. The patriarch’s attempt to help create an
opposition front was clear after he received a number of high-level visitors,
including from leaders of Lebanese political parties and Saudi Ambassador to
Lebanon Walid bin Abdullah Bukhari in early July.
Media reports described these visits as an indication that al-Rai is no longer
supporting President Michel Aoun and the Free Patriotic Movement party, which is
allied with Hezbollah. Lebanese political sources agree that al-Rai has taken a
different political approach after sensing serious threats that Hezbollah poses
to Lebanon and its Christian community in particular. Since last week, the
patriarch has called for Lebanon to maintain its “neutrality,” stressing the
need for Aoun “to break the siege on political legitimacy.” The statements are
clear indications of the Maronite Church’s rejection of Hezbollah’s attempts to
exert control over Lebanese state institutions. “The Lebanese want to end their
suffering from power monopoly and neglect. They want a free state that speaks in
the name of the people. That being said, they don’t want a state that gives up
its sovereignty and free will,” al-Rai said. “The Lebanese do not want any
popular or representative majority to tamper with the constitution or the law
and isolate the country from friendly nations and peoples. They don’t want
Lebanon to go from growth to backwardness and from abundance to need,” he added.
Diab Accuses Politicians of Blocking Aid to Lebanon
Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 15 July, 2020
Prime Minister Hassan Diab criticized on Tuesday some Lebanese parties of
working on blocking aid to Lebanon. "You do know that contacts … with our
friends around the world, are witnessing positive and encouraging progress
towards helping Lebanon. However, there are people who still insist on
increasing the suffering of the Lebanese," said Diab during a cabinet session.
"Is it acceptable that there is a party official whose sole concern is to block
any help?" he asked. The PM described as “shameful” statements that his
government heard from certain Arab states about contacts that some Lebanese
politicians had held with them. "We have reports about a scheme to obstruct the
government from inside the state administration," Diab added. At the start of
the cabinet session, President Michel Aoun highlighted the obligation to speed
up the implementation of decisions aimed at improving social and economic
conditions.
Aoun said it is urgent that Lebanon completes reforms as requested by the
international community in order to redress the country’s ailing economy and
finances. He also said that the rise in coronavirus cases necessitated a review
of the related measures and the acceleration of their implementation. Aoun and
Diab’s positions came a day after the International Monetary Fund warned of the
high cost of holding up reforms in Lebanon, two months into bailout talks to
redress its nose-diving economy. Reading out the cabinet's decisions,
Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad indicated that the cabinet had agreed to
adopt a wait-and-see approach to the resignation of Alain Bifani, the Director
General of the Ministry of Finance.
As Prices Soar, Lebanon Hikes Public
Transport Costs
Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 15 July, 2020
Lebanon hiked the cost of rides in shared taxis and buses by 50% on Wednesday,
the first rise in nearly a decade, reflecting soaring prices in a country hit by
a financial meltdown. Public transport drivers had called for fares to be raised
after a fall of nearly 80% in the local currency since late last year that has
slashed jobs and pushed many into poverty. “Nothing is cheap anymore,” said cab
driver Saad Elias, who welcomed the price hike. “And if your car gets broken,
you can’t fix it.” The fee for shared taxis — known as “service” in Beirut —
went up from 2,000 to 3,000 Lebanese pounds, Transport Minister Michel Najjar
said. The new price is about 0.37 US dollars based on the exchange rate on the
informal market. Kassem al-Sailami, a 53-year-old driver, worried the higher
price would drive customers away. “People don’t even have 3,000 LBP. They’re not
working.” Sailami, a father of four, said some now chose walking over paying for
transport. On his daily commute between Beirut and Tripoli city in the north,
Issam Nasser, 37, has started walking the last stretch home to save some money.
“It’s the driver’s right (to be paid more), everything costs him more now. On
the other hand ... people are suffering like him too,” he said. “So, we’re
screwed from all sides.” While the cost of fuel — subsidized by the Lebanese
state — has not changed, drivers say they have suffered losses because of the
rising cost of repairs, on top of rocketing food prices in the import-dependent
country. The government announced this month a list of around 300 basic goods to
be subsidized by the central bank. The official currency peg of 1,507.5 remains
available only to importers of fuel, wheat and medicine.
Lebanon Increases Public Transport Tariff as Crisis Drags
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/July 15/2020
Public Works Minister Michel Najjar announced on Wednesday an increase in public
transportation fees as Lebanon's economic crisis drags on without any near
government solutions. Najjar held a joint press conference with Land Transport
Union head Bassam Tleis and made the announcement “after a thorough scientific
study taking into consideration the interest of Lebanese,” he said. The new
tariff increased by LL1,000 to reach LL3,000 per person for standard rides
inside Beirut, while the tariff of vans and buses was raised by LL500 to reach
LL1,500. In order to get from one place to another, Lebanese can either share a
cab with other passengers for the above fee or get a taxi, which is less
economical. Lebanon's is witnessing an unprecedented economic crisis pushing
many into poverty and skyrocketing the prices of goods. In recent months, the
Lebanese pound has lost around 80% of its value against the dollar, prices have
soared uncontrollably, and much of its middle class has been plunged into
poverty. Talks with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout have faltered,
and international donors have refused to unlock $11 billion pledged in 2018,
pending major economic reforms and anti-corruption measures.
Lebanon Looks to China as U.S., Arabs Refuse to Help in Crisis
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/July 15/2020
Facing a worsening economic crisis and with little chance of Western or oil-rich
Arab countries providing assistance without substantial reforms, Lebanon's
cash-strapped government is looking east, hoping to secure investments from
China that could bring relief. But help from Beijing risks alienating the United
States, which has suggested such a move could come at the cost of Lebanese-U.S.
ties. A tiny nation of 5 million on a strategic Mediterranean crossroads between
Asia and Europe, Lebanon has long been a site where rivalries between Iran and
Saudi Arabia have played out. Now, it's becoming a focus of escalating tensions
between China and the West. In recent months, the Lebanese pound has lost around
80% of its value against the dollar, prices have soared uncontrollably, and much
of its middle class has been plunged into poverty. Talks with the International
Monetary Fund for a bailout have faltered, and international donors have refused
to unlock $11 billion pledged in 2018, pending major economic reforms and
anti-corruption measures. Left with few choices, Prime Minister Hassan Diab's
government — supported by the Iran-backed Hizbullah and its allies — is seeking
help from China, an approach that Hizbullah strongly supports. Diab is walking a
tightrope. "Our move toward China is very serious but we are not turning our
back to the West," a ministerial official told The Associated Press, speaking on
condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to the media. "We
are passing through extraordinary circumstances and we welcome whoever is going
to assist us."
He said China has offered to help end Lebanon's decades-long electrical power
crisis through its state companies, an offer the government is considering. In
addition, Beijing has offered to build power stations, a tunnel that cuts
through the mountains to shorten the trip between Beirut and the eastern Bekaa
Valley, and a railway along Lebanon's coast, according to the official and an
economist. The U.S., which has historic relations with Lebanon and is a strong
backer of its army, said such a move could come at the expense of Beirut's
relations with Washington.
The China overtures come at a time when Hizbullah and its allies are
increasingly portraying the crisis in Lebanon, which stems from decades of
corruption and mismanagement, as one fomented by the U.S. administration. They
accuse the U.S. of imposing an informal "financial siege" on Lebanon, partly to
put pressure on Hizbullah which Washington and its Gulf Arab allies consider a
terrorist organization. "We know well that there is a big decision to besiege
the country. They are preventing any assistance to Lebanon," Diab told a July 2
government meeting, according to his office. Diab said, without naming any
country, that "they are preventing transfers to the country and blocking credit
lines to import fuel, diesel, medicine and flour to cut the electricity, starve
the Lebanese and make them die without medicine."
"Trying to blame Lebanon's economic crisis on U.S. sanctions is misguided and
false," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in response to the
accusations. Earlier this month, Diab received China's ambassador to Lebanon,
Wang Kejian, after which Lebanon's industry minister was asked to follow up on
possibilities of cooperation. Kejian declined to comment. Hizbullah has
advocated for a bigger role for China and other allies in Lebanon. The group had
opposed an IMF program to get Lebanon out of its crisis, fearing it would come
with political conditions. But it begrudgingly accepted that Lebanon engage in
the negotiations as long as the IMF didn't dictate policy. Seventeen rounds of
talks between the government and the IMF since mid-May have failed to make any
progress. A person familiar with the discussions said it was not an "either-or"
choice between China and the IMF, adding that the talks with the IMF are about
covering the immediate fiscal deficit, injecting dollars and developing a
framework for structural reform, while the discussions with Beijing are about
infrastructure projects. The person spoke on condition of anonymity in order to
describe the negotiations.
Lebanon defaulted on its sovereign debt in March, and economist Hasan Moukalled
said most Western companies will be reluctant to invest there as long as the
country does not reach a deal with the IMF. This is what makes Chinese companies
different, he said. Moukalled, who visited China several times in 2018 and 2019,
said the projects that China has offered to work on are worth $12.5 billion.
The investments can be mutually beneficial. China can gain from close relations
with Lebanon, with the country serving as a launch pad for the reconstruction of
neighboring Syria, another Beijing ally. Lebanon's northern port of Tripoli has
been expanded in recent years and could be a terminal in China's trillion-dollar
"Silk Road" project that's carving a trade route from east Asia to Europe. Iran
has also offered to sell Lebanon oil for Lebanese pounds, but officials in
Beirut have been concerned about deals with Tehran because of Western sanctions.
The government is in talks with Iraq's government, which is offering to give
fuel to Lebanon in return for agricultural products. "We understand Lebanon is
in desperate need for an infusion of cash. They need investors," U.S. Ambassador
to Lebanon Dorothy Shea told Saudi-owned TV station Al-Hadath. After Lebanon's
default in March, "investors are not lining up at the door."
Some people have talked about Lebanon turning east "as if that's the answer to
all of Lebanon's economic woes," she said, warning that Chinese investments
might come "at the expense of the country's prosperity, stability or fiscal
viability, or, of course, on the long-standing relations with the United
States." Russian Ambassador Alexander Zasypkin told the daily al-Joumhouria that
Russia, China, Syria, Iran and Iraq can help Lebanon. He added that when the
West refused, "the alternative to look east became more persistent."During a
visit to Lebanon last week, Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, head of the U.S. Central
Command, was asked about Lebanon and other regional countries looking to China
for resources and financing. "You get what you pay for. That's all I have to
say," McKenzie said.
'Hunger Crimes' on the Rise in Crisis-hit Lebanon
Agence France Presse
Zakaria al-Omar was walking through Beirut when a stranger robbed him at
knifepoint, a desperate crime of a kind that has become increasingly common in
crisis-torn Lebanon. The small Mediterranean country is mired in an economic
crisis marked by a steep currency fall and runaway inflation that have plunged
nearly half of the population into poverty. Omar, a 37-year-old graphic
designer, recalled the terrifying and tragic encounter that started when a man
in his 40s crept up behind him as he walked alone at night through Beirut's
Hamra commercial district. "He told me that he didn't want to hurt me. He asked
me to give him money or take him to a grocery store to buy some food," Omar
recounted. "He said his children back home were crying from hunger."The robber
grabbed the money and darted toward his motorcycle, then stopped dead in his
tracks and returned, explaining that he had lost his job and could no longer pay
the rent. "He started crying and apologised to me," Omar told AFP. "He told me
that he was not a thief but that he was hungry and so were his children."
Omar said he refused to take back the cash.
"I told him that I forgave him, and then he went away," Omar said. "I was scared
but I also felt sad for that man breaking down in front of me." Lebanon's
Internal Security Forces say crime rates have shot up this year amid Lebanon's
worst economic turmoil since the 1975-1990 civil war.
The ISF recorded 863 thefts and robberies in the first half of this year, up
from 650 for all of 2019, according to a document seen by AFP.
- Apologetic robbers -
A security official who asked not to be named told AFP that broader crime rates
during the first half of 2020 reached a six-year peak, especially murders and
robberies. The rise appeared to be driven by the deepening economic crisis, said
the official, who was not authorised to speak on the issue.
Police were noticing a "new kind of theft that involves mainly baby milk, food,
and medicine", the source said. In another trend that evoked Omar's encounter,
the source added, "more than one victim has said the perpetrators apologised
while robbing them".Tens of thousands of Lebanese have lost their jobs or part
of their salaries, while a crippling dollar shortage has sparked rapid
inflation. The Lebanese pound, though officially pegged to the dollar at 1,507,
reached a peak of more than 9,000 to the greenback on the black market in early
July.
With Lebanon heavily reliant on imports, the price of medicine, baby milk and
food has reached record highs. The price of a relatively cheap brand of diapers
has shot up from 15,000 Lebanese pounds ($10 at the official rate) to 34,000
pounds ($23) per pack.And the cost of a tin of baby milk has climbed from 23,000
($15) to 35,000 pounds ($23) on average, with some brands selling for as much as
45,000 pounds ($30).
- 'Deteriorating conditions' -
In a video widely shared on social media this month, three men were filmed
walking away from a Beirut restaurant carrying a large and heavy-looking safe.
Walid Ataya, the restaurant owner, said: "They took money from the cash
register, even the spare change. Then they scoured the place until they spotted
the safe, which they couldn't open." He did not reveal exactly how much was lost
but said the robbers stole the proceeds from "two years' worth of work". Ataya,
who owns a chain of upscale restaurants in Beirut, said the safe contained cash
he did not want to deposit in a bank, now a common concern. Since the autumn,
Lebanese banks have gradually forbidden depositors from withdrawing their dollar
savings or transferring them abroad, prompting many to stash cash in their
offices or at home. Apart from money, increasingly more cars are being stolen.
The ISF has recorded 303 vehicle thefts so far this year -- more than the 273 in
the second half of last year. The increase, the security source said, was
clearly linked to "deteriorating economic conditions and rising youth
unemployment".
The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published on July 15-16/2020
At least 7 Iranian ships in flames at Bushehr port. New US warning
DEBKAfile/July 15/2020
The types of the seven vessels on fire on Wednesday, July 15, and what caused
the blazes were not revealed in the first official report from Tehran. The
incident followed a string of mysterious explosions at Iran’s nuclear, military
and missile production sites ongoing since late June.
DEBKAfile: If this suspected campaign of sabotage has been extended to encompass
Iran’s navy, it would be a serious escalation, amounting to a threat to Iran’s
claim to control the Persian Gulf and its waters. Bushehr province is also home
to Iran’s only nuclear power plant. A day earlier, on Tuesday, US Central
Command Chef Gen. Kenneth McKenzie warned Tehran that “any malign activities in
the Gulf would bear a high cost.” In an interview sponsored by the State
Department, he reminded Iran of “the events of January” when a US drone killed
top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. “So we are postured and will continue to
be postured in the region, working closely with all our partners, all our
friends n the region, to ensure that we’re ready and Iran sees very clearly what
would be the high cost of any malign activity on their part,” the US Centcom
chief stressed. The general was asked if the Iranian regime was truly deterred
by the killing of Soleimani or whether, before making its move, it was waiting
out the upcoming UN Security Council vote on extending the arms embargo or the
US presidential election. He replied that Washington had established “red lines”
that might not have been visible before. The UN vote was a factor, he said,
adding “But to be honest with you, it’s very hard to know and understand exactly
what Iran’s thinking is.”
Trump Warns Iran against Execution of Three over Protests
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/July 15/2020
U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran on Wednesday against executing three
people allegedly involved in protests in November 2019. "Three individuals were
sentenced to death in Iran for participating in protests," he tweeted. "The
execution is expected momentarily. Executing these three people sends a terrible
signal to the world and should not be done!" Iran's judiciary said Tuesday that
a court had upheld the death sentences for criminal actions during protests last
November sparked by a hike in petrol prices. Reformist Shargh newspaper named
the three as Amirhossein Moradi, a 26-year-old who worked at a cellphone
retailer; Said Tamjidi, a 28-year-old student; and Mohammad Rajabi, also 26.
Iran has blamed last year's violence on "thugs" backed by its foes the United
States, Israel and Saudi Arabia. The demonstrations erupted after authorities
more than doubled fuel prices overnight, exacerbating economic hardships in the
sanctions-hit country. Petrol pumps were torched, police stations attacked and
shops looted, before security forces stepped in amid a near-total internet
blackout. A senior Iranian lawmaker said in June that 230 were killed and
thousands injured during the protests. The United States has claimed that more
than 1,000 were killed.
Iran seeks pressure on dissidents,
minorities through executions
The Arab Weekly/July 15/2020
LONDON – Iran is ramping up pressure against Kurds and other minorities in the
country with news of the executions Monday of two Kurdish men in the Urumieh
prison in West Azerbaijan province.
The executions were described by Amnesty International as “an alarming
escalation in use of the death penalty against protesters, dissidents and
members of minority groups in Iran.” The two Kurds, Diaku Rasoulzadeh and Saber
Sheikh Abdollah, had been convicted and sentenced to death in 2015 solely on the
basis of torture-tainted “confessions” and amid overwhelming evidence pointing
to their innocence, Amnesty said in a statement. The non-governmental
organisation called on the UN and its member states “to urgently intervene to
save the lives of those at risk of execution, and urge Iran to stop using the
death penalty to sow fear and silence political opposition.”“Diaku Rasoulzadeh
and Saber Sheikh Abdollah are the latest victims of Iran’s deeply flawed
criminal justice system, which systematically relies on fabricated evidence
including ‘confessions’ obtained under torture and other ill-treatment to secure
criminal convictions,” said Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International’s deputy
regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. “Using executions as a
tool to instil fear and maintain an iron grip on society is unimaginably cruel,”
she added. Rasoulzadeh and Sheikh Abdollah had been on death row since 2015
after being sentenced in connection with a deadly armed attack in 2010, in which
they had repeatedly denied involvement. The latest executions follow a sharp
rise in the use of the death penalty by Tehran. Hours after the execution of the
two Kurdish men in the Urumieh prison, the spokesperson of the judiciary
announced that death sentences against three young men allegedly involved in the
protests of November 2019 had been upheld by the Supreme Court. Iran executed
about 251 people last year, according to Amnesty International, the second
highest in the world after China.It has issued a spate of death sentences in
recent weeks, including for the opposition journalist Ruhollah Zam. In recent
days, Iran also executed a man for repeatedly drinking alcohol and another who
was convicted of spying for the CIA.
Pro-Iran forces seek to topple Iraqi PM
over ties to US
The Arab Weekly/July 15/2020
BAGHDAD –Iraqi political and popular forces opposed to Prime Minister Mustafa
al-Kadhimi are working to pressure the government in Parliament and on the
street, with the aim of bringing it down. According to some sources, this
summer’s confrontations are expected to be quite heated. The anti-Kadhimi
political forces belong to Iran’s close allies in Iraq. Informed sources in
Baghdad said leaders of the Fatah Alliance, the second largest parliamentary
bloc in the Iraqi parliament, have had contacts with the leader of the State of
Law Coalition Nuri al-Maliki to discuss the future of the Kadhimi government and
the possibility of its dismissal in parliament before it could sign binding
long-term agreements with the United States, in the context of the dialogue that
was set off between the two countries weeks ago.
Because Kadhimi’s government enjoys the backing of two important Shia blocs, one
led by Muqtatda al-Sadr and one led by Ammar al-Hakim, Kadhimi’s opponents know
that they do not muster enough clout in parliament to bring it down.
Al-Sadr has yet to clarify his final and genuine stance towards al-Kadhimi, and
this is why his bloc, Saeroun, is still sending contradictory signals about the
government. Al-Hakim, however, is one of the most enthusiastic supporters of
Kadhimi and his government. He had already taken the initiative to provide
political cover for the current government by forming a parliamentary bloc
comprising more than 40 MPs all in favour of Kadhimi and his government.
Pro-Iran Shia forces have also to contend with Sunni and Kurdish acceptance of
Kadhimi and his government. So, in order to reach their goal, they seem to have
decided to experiment with a mixture of different currents in the popular
movements that might end up tipping the positions of other political forces
towards their project. The popular mixture targeted by the pro-Iran forces
consists of the remnants of the October protests plus recent groups of
protesters. The remnant protesters of the October uprising are groups in Baghdad
and the provinces that still insist on continuing the protests that began in
2019, despite the major political changes that were introduced because of them.
The new protesters are specific groups of individuals recently affected by
government decisions aimed at financial reform.
For the past 15 years or so, many large segments of Iraqi society have been
benefiting from special privileges and government largesse under the pretext of
their involvement in opposing Saddam Hussein’s regime. But these privileges have
created feelings of resentment and discrimination among popular circles as they
saw one class being enriched at the expense of other classes.
Kadhimi and his government took office amid the dreadful economic conditions
created by the COVID-19 pandemic and plummeting oil prices. Drastic austerity
measures had to be taken and the government decided to scrap the financial and
other material privileges that thousands of Iraqis had enjoyed over several
years. Naturally, these measures angered the affected individuals. Observers
said that Iran’s allies are working to combine the die-hard protesters of the
October 2019 demonstrations with those affected by the recent financial reform
decision. The goal is to form a popular protest current demanding the fall of
Kadhimi’s government, while riding the usual wave of summer protests ignited by
electricity shortages as summer temperatures soar to 50°C. Pro-Iranian Shia
parties are hoping that the electricity street protests may entice Muqtada al-Sadr
to join their ranks, since the latter’s supporters do seem to enjoy a good
confrontation with the riot police now and then. If the plot succeeds, many
political forces will follow suit and abandon Kadhimi. The latter, being aware
of the plot, has been moving on all fronts to abort this plan. On Monday,
Kadhimi ordered the suspension of pending energy projects and directed the
Ministry of Oil to distribute fuel free of charge to private sector electricity
power plants, a measure that may have a quick cooling effect.
The electricity power grid in Iraq was completely shattered during Operation
Desert Storm in 1991. Since then, the country has been suffering from a severe
shortage of electricity. As a remedy, the government encouraged setting up local
private sector electricity generating stations which would sell electricity
directly to consumers.
Over the past years, these private power plants have contributed 50% of the
electricity consumed in Iraq. During the past two weeks, electricity output of
public power plants dropped sharply, coinciding with a particularly blistering
heat wave across the country. Temperatures soared to 50°C in many Iraqi cities,
placing private sector power plants under tremendous pressure. Always within the
context of pre-empting public anger, Kadhimi was in Karbala on Tuesday, where he
inaugurated a number of service projects.
“The past periods saw billions of dollars spent on the electricity sector; it
was plenty sufficient to build a modern electrical grid, but corruption,
financial waste and mismanagement were all factors that undermined solving the
electricity crisis in Iraq. The result is worsening citizens’ suffering in
summer,” the Prime Minister said. He viciously attacked the government of his
predecessor, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, for not implementing “the maintenance projects
devoted to the electricity sector, and that has exacerbated the problem,
especially in these tough economic conditions for Iraq due to the collapse of
oil prices globally as a result of the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.”As a
relief measure, Kadhimi directed the Ministry of Oil “to provide fuel free of
charge to the owners of private electricity generators, in exchange for lower
electricity prices and increased supply hours.”
Observers said that the Iran allies’ strategy of focusing on igniting popular
anger in Baghdad specifically aims at keeping the Prime Minister busy with the
protests and consequently divert his attention and efforts from pursuing Shia
militias involved in theft, extortion, kidnapping, weapons and drugs smuggling,
and participating in armed conflicts abroad. They also expect that the coming
confrontations will have consequences for the Iraqi government’s approach to
building a future partnership with the United States. Kadhimi has plans to visit
Washington soon, in preparation for the second round of dialogue between the two
countries, which opened last month via closed-circuit television.
Iraq PM Expected to Visit Saudi Arabia ‘Very Soon’
Riyadh, Baghdad – Abdulhadi Habtor and Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 15 July, 2020
The Iraqi government announced that it has reached an agreement with Saudi
Arabia to reactivate deals signed between the two sides. Iraqi Ambassador to
Saudi Arabia, Qahtan al-Janabi, meanwhile, said that Iraqi Prime Minister
Mustafa al-Kadhimi is expected to visit the Kingdom “very soon”.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the premier was keen on visiting Saudi Arabia. The
Kingdom will be at the top of his travel itinerary, he stated without disclosing
when such a visit may take place. He stressed that it was “natural” for Saudi
Arabia and Iraq to enjoy close relations given their geographic, historic and
tribal ties, as well as their common interests. “The Saudi leadership and Iraqi
government are working hard to boost these relations,” he added. Among the
agreements Riyadh and Baghdad are seeking to revive are the reopening of the
Arar border crossing and increasing trade and easing travel between the two
countries. Other agreements tackle culture, education, health, investment,
agriculture and energy. Several files will witness a marked improvement very
soon, pledged Janabi. He said that the reopening of the Arar crossing has been
delayed by the novel coronavirus outbreak, which has also led to the
postponement of many issues. “We must now coexist with the virus and carefully
return to normal life,” he added. Arar is the sole border crossing between Saudi
Arabia and Iraq, but “we hope for more portals to be opened between them in the
future,” he remarked.
Iraqi Government Faces Power Outage Challenge
Baghdad- Fadhel al-Nashmi/Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 15 July,
2020 - 17:30
With temperatures soaring in Iraq, the electricity crisis becomes more prevalent
in public discourse and a pressing issue for the government. This is a known
trend that extends over summer seasons in the Levantine country. Iraqi Prime
Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi is trying to take all necessary measures to mitigate
the severity of the crisis and alleviate the suffering of Iraqis who are
receiving less than 10 hours of main current electricity per day. Kadhimi held a
meeting with the Ministers of Electricity and Oil to discuss electricity supply
in Iraq and directed that all electricity projects, especially those agreed with
Siemens, be implemented without delay. Kadhimi’s office said in a statement that
the PM held “a meeting with the ministers of electricity and oil devoted to
tackling the current electricity crisis", noting that the PM counted, “the
electricity file as one of the most important challenges facing the work of the
current government". The statement quoted Kadhimi as saying: " Billions of
dollars were spent in the past years on this sector and were sufficient to build
modern electrical networks, but corruption, financial waste, and mismanagement
prevented solving the electric power crisis in Iraq".
"The previous ministry did not carry out electricity-related projects", pointing
that, "the government is determined to tackle this file by implementing plans to
develop production sectors, and blocking all the outlets of corruption in this
vital sector", Kadhimi added. The PM directed the Ministry of Oil to "provide
free fuel to the owners of private generators, in exchange for lower
subscription rates and increased processing hours". Often, the great lack of
electricity supplies led to angry protest demonstrations in the central and
southern provinces. Fears of the spread of COVID-19, however, are believed to
have prevented public outrage from manifesting as protests. Some limited and
angry demonstrations have already occurred in recent days in Baghdad and other
areas in the south and east of the country.
11 European Ministers Call for Quick Action against
Israel’s Annexation Plan
London - Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 15 July, 2020
Foreign ministers from 11 European countries have demanded the European Union
(EU) provide a quick list of possible actions to stop Israel from annexing parts
of the occupied West Bank. In a letter addressed Friday to the EU foreign policy
chief, Josep Borrell, the top officials asked for the potential “legal
consequences” for Israel over its annexation move. The letter was signed by
foreign ministers from Belgium, Ireland, Italy, France, Malta, Portugal, Sweden,
Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Finland. “We understand that this is a
sensitive issue and timing is important, but time is also short. We are
concerned that the window to deter annexation is fast closing,” the letter said.
These ministers first demanded responses to an Israeli annexation during an
unofficial meeting with Borrell on May 15. During the meeting, Borrell ordered
his staff to prepare a list of possible responses in what is known as an
“options paper.” However, ministers stated that the document hasn’t been
completed yet. The possible Israeli annexation by Israel of parts of the West
Bank remains a matter of “grave concern for the EU and its member states,”
according to the letter. “Israel’s annexation of parts of the occupied
Palestinian territory would be a breach of international law,” it said, adding
that it is important to have “clarity on the legal and political implications of
annexation.” The ministers requested a paper, drafted in close consultation with
the Commission, that provides an overview of the EU-Israel relations, an
analysis of the legal consequences of annexation, as well as a list of possible
actions in response to it, including the automatic triggers of all EU-Israeli
agreements and the respective responsibilities of the Commission. They indicated
that such an options paper would also contribute to the efforts to deter
annexation.
Palestinian Waqf Challenges Israeli Court Order: Bab al-Rahma
will Remain Open
Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 15 July, 2020
Palestinian political and religious officials have challenged the Israeli
authorities and asserted that Bab al-Rahma, the eastern gate of al-Aqsa mosque,
will remain open despite a court decision to close it. The director of al-Aqsa
Mosque, Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, stressed Tuesday that the Bab al-Rahma area is
an integral part of al-Aqsa Mosque and is not subject to the decisions of the
Israeli courts, and accordingly will remain open. Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the grand
mufti of Jerusalem, also announced that Bab al-Rahma will note be closed again.
Last week, the Jerusalem Police petitioned the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court
requesting an extension to keep Bab al-Rahma closed, and sent a letter to the
Islamic Endowments Department asking to close the gate permanently. The Islamic
Endowments Department in Jerusalem (Waqf) responded by saying it does not refer
to Israeli courts because they do not have the authority and do not have the
power to rule on the Mosque ever since the 1967 occupation of the city. The
Israeli court’s decision is the latest in the tension between the Israeli
authorities and the Palestinians who forcibly opened the gate last year after 16
years of its closure. In response, Israel arrested a number of Palestinians
ordering political and religious officials to stay away from the mosque.
However, Jordan, the custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem, denounced the
decision to permanently close the gate. So Hamas warned that any attack on al-Aqsa
Mosque means war, stressing that the occupation will pay for its “encroachment”
on the mosque. Hamas issued a statement on the third anniversary of “al-Asbat
Gate Uprising”, stressing that “this dangerous plan will not go ahead”, praising
Jerusalemites who are confronting Israeli plots to empty the Mosque of
Palestinians.
Hamas accused Israel of Judaizing the Mosque and turning it into a synagogue,
reiterating that this dangerous “Zionist conspiracy would not be carried out.”
The movement also called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and
the Arab League to take action to stop the looming threat to al-Aqsa Mosque, and
to prevent Israel from achieving its objectives. The Islamic organizations in
East Jerusalem rejected the Israeli court ruling to close the Bab al-Rahma
prayer area, stressing that everything within the holy compound is purely
Islamic, and Israel has no rights or authority over it.
“Bab al-Rahma prayer area is an integral part of the holy al-Aqsa Mosque, which
is for Muslims alone by a divine right and not subject for negotiations or
concession of even a grain of its soil,” said the organizations in a statement.
They stressed that the Mosque is not subject to any decision by courts
regardless of their status or any political decision, adding, “Muslims do not
accept or recognize these illegal occupation decisions, and therefore will not
abide by them.” “The occupation decisions are contrary to freedom of worship and
contrary to international laws and norms,” said the statement.
Russian MP Backs Libyan Parliament’s Call for Egyptian Military Intervention
Moscow – Raed Jaber/Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 15 July, 2020
The Russian Foreign Ministry has yet to comment on the east-based Libyan
parliament’s call on the Egyptian military to intervene in the country to
confront Turkey’s expansionist ambitions. A Russian lawmaker did, however,
welcome the move. MP Vladimir Jabbarov said the Egyptian intervention could help
restore the Libyan state, while also stressing the need to continue efforts to
reach a political solution. Of course, there is a need to hold political
negotiations to settle the crisis, but if the Egyptian army were to help Libya
restore its state, then that would also be a good thing, he remarked. He said
that the Egyptian military was able to restore the Egyptian state after the
ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood and now the country was developing
successfully. Russia understands Cairo’s concern over the unstable situation in
Libya, he added. Earlier this week, the Kremlin announced that President
Vladimir Putin had discussed Libya in a telephone call with his Turkish
counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also tackled
Libya with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Russia’s Charge d’Affaires in
Libya Jamshed Boltaev, meanwhile, denied that Moscow had delivered weapons to
the North African country.
Russia was not violating the arms embargo against Libya, he stressed a week
after resuming his duties at his country’s mission was reopened, but where it is
temporarily being based in Tunisia.
Medical Syndicate: 112 Doctors Died of Coronavirus in Egypt
Cairo - Mohammed Nabil Helmi/Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 15 July,
2020
Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly visited a number of local hospitals to
show solidarity with Egyptian doctors and their syndicate following
counter-accusations caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Medical Syndicate
(Dar el-Hikma) announced Tuesday that 112 doctors had died of the coronavirus,
noting that these numbers are based on the reports they receive from the
families of the deceased, and do not include all deaths. Madbouly toured a
number of medical facilities in Aswan Governorate, south of the country, and
expressed his appreciation to all the medical personnel and their efforts during
the pandemic. The Prime Minister visited Aswan Specialized Hospital where he
reviewed the measures taken to treat coronavirus patients, as well as the
availability of medical supplies, according to an official statement. He met
with the medical staff and praised their efforts. He later concluded his visit
by writing in the hospital’s visiting log and posing for a family photo with the
staff. "I would like to express my thanks, appreciation and respect to all
medical personnel who have carried out, and are still performing, their sacred
duty in caring for coronavirus cases," Madbouly noted. He stressed that the
state prioritizes health, and aims to provide distinguished health services to
all citizens of different governorates. According to a government statement,
Madbouly also met with some of the patients recovering from their COVID-19
infection. The Prime Minister's tour included inspecting the developments at a
local health unit as well, in preparation for implementing the comprehensive
health insurance plan in the governorate. Last month, the Medical Syndicate said
the Ministry of Health did not provide the needed medical supplies to combat the
coronavirus, noting that many of its members died because of “negligence.”This
prompted an urgent meeting between the Prime Minister and Chairperson of the
Syndicate Hussein Khairy to discuss doctors’ demands regarding coronavirus
prevention and care. Madbouly vowed to meet all their needs and emphasized his
willingness to personally intervene to resolve any issue swiftly. However, a
second crisis arose after Madbouly gave a statement saying some doctors were
absent in some governorates, “which, in a way, led to cases worsening and
deaths.” The Syndicate condemned the Prime Minister’s statement, accusing him of
blaming doctors for the country’s worsening epidemiological situation. The
Ministry of Health announced 931 new positive COVID-19 cases and 77 more
fatalities on July 13, bringing the country’s total to 83,001 with 3,935 deaths
since the outbreak of the virus. Meanwhile, 556 new patients were discharged
from quarantine and isolation hospitals.
Egypt Demands Clarifications as Ethiopia Denies it Has
Started Filling Nile Dam
Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 15 July, 2020
Ethiopia’s water minister denied reports Wednesday that the government had begun
filling a massive hydroelectric dam that has caused severe tensions with Egypt
and led some to fear military conflict, while Cairo swiftly asked for
clarification.
Media outlets reported the government had begun filling after Minister Sileshi
Bekele confirmed to the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation that satellite images
from recent days showed the dam’s reservoir swelling. The minister told The
Associated Press, however, that the images reflected heavy rains, saying that
inflow was greater than the outflow. He later tweeted saying it had created
“natural pooling.” On Tuesday, International Crisis Group analyst William
Davison told the AP that images captured on July 9 by a European Space Agency
satellite likely show a “natural backing-up of water behind the dam.”
But neighboring Sudan on Wednesday expressed skepticism. Its Irrigation Ministry
said in a statement that water levels at its al-Dayem station on the Blue Nile
showed a decline of 90 million cubic meters per day “that confirms the closure
of the dam’s gates.”The ministry reiterated Sudan’s rejection to “any unilateral
measures” as efforts to reach a deal continue. And Ahmed Hafez, a spokesman for
Egypt’s foreign ministry, said Cairo has asked for an “official clarification”
from Ethiopia to the minister's comments. Ethiopia’s latest round of talks with
Egypt and Sudan on an agreement over the operation of the $4.6 billion Grand
Ethiopian Renaissance Dam failed early this week. Ethiopia has said it would
begin filling the dam's reservoir this month even without a deal as the rainy
season floods the Blue Nile.
Ethiopia says the dam offers a critical opportunity to pull millions of its
nearly 110 million citizens out of poverty. Downstream Egypt, which depends on
the Nile to supply its farmers and booming population of 100 million with fresh
water, asserts that the dam poses an existential threat. Years of talks with a
variety of mediators, including the Trump administration, have failed to produce
a solution. Last week’s round, mediated by the African Union and observed by US
and European officials, proved no different. Sudanese Irrigation Minister Yasser
Abbas on Monday said the parties were “keen to find a solution,” but technical
and legal disagreements persist over its filling and operation. Most important,
he said, are the questions about how much water Ethiopia will release downstream
if a multi-year drought occurs and how the countries will resolve any future
disputes. Ethiopia rejects binding arbitration at the final stage.
Davison with the International Crisis Group said Wednesday that the next step in
the dispute is for the AU to assess progress and propose a way forward.
“Hopefully that will lead to talks reconvening next week,” he said. Incremental
progress is being made, he added, "and it’s critical that the parties remain
locked in talks and that there is no further diplomatic escalation.”
U.S. Ups Battle against Huawei as China Tensions Soar
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/July 15/2020
The United States on Wednesday cleared the way for sanctions on employees of
telecom giant Huawei, expanding its pressure campaign on China, which summoned
the U.S. ambassador. Tensions have soared between the world's two largest
economies on a growing range of fronts including Beijing's clampdown on Hong
Kong, with President Donald Trump on Tuesday ending the financial hub's special
trading privileges. China shows no sign of backing down on Hong Kong, but the
Trump administration has rejoiced in growing success at isolating Huawei, with
Britain announcing a ban on the leading Chinese company.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States would restrict
US visas for employees of Huawei and other Chinese firms if they are involved in
human rights abuses. "Telecommunications companies around the world should
consider themselves on notice: If they are doing business with Huawei, they are
doing business with human rights abusers," Pompeo said. The United States
accuses Huawei of working on the behest of Beijing and says that global security
and personal data will be at risk if the company dominates development of the
world's fifth-generation internet.
Pompeo said that Huawei was already responsible for rights abuses by letting
China snoop on dissidents and abetting Beijing's sweeping surveillance in the
western region of Xinjiang, where rights groups say more than one million
Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims are incarcerated.
- 'Right end of the stick' -
Offering affordable internet in the developing world and moving rapidly on 5G,
Huawei has so far largely weathered U.S. prohibitions and pressure -- and
reported double-digit revenue growth for the first half of the year. The
European Union has resisted blanket restrictions on Huawei. But British Prime
Minister Boris Johnson's government agreed Tuesday to a phased ban after U.S.
sanctions blocked Huawei's access to U.S. chips. Pompeo announced that he would
visit Britain as well as Denmark starting Monday, in part to discuss China.
Pompeo said Johnson got "on the complete right end of the stick" on Huawei but
played down the U.S. role, saying Britain concluded on its own that data sent
through Huawei "will almost certainly end up in the hands of the Chinese
Communist Party." Canada in 2018 acted on a U.S. request and arrested Huawei
executive Meng Wanzhou, who faces extradition on charges of violating U.S.
sanctions on Iran. Huawei rejects the U.S. campaign and has called on Washington
to show more evidence to prove the risks purportedly posed by the company.
- 'Gross interference' -
China on Wednesday summoned the U.S. ambassador, Terry Branstad, after Trump
signed a law that paved the way for sanctions over the situation in Hong Kong.
"This is gross interference in China's internal affairs and seriously violates
international law and basic norms of international relations," the foreign
ministry said in a statement. China also vowed retaliatory measures over Trump's
signing of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which paves the way for sanctions against
banks that do business with anyone seen as infringing on the city's autonomy.
U.S. lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the law, hoping that all but provincial
Chinese banks will think twice before risking punishment in the world's largest
economy. Trump also signed an executive order that instructed the U.S.
government to treat Hong Kong no differently than mainland China on trade.
Beijing has pushed forward a tough security law that has sent a chill through
Hong Kong, which was promised separate freedoms before Britain handed back the
territory in 1997. In other recent moves, Pompeo restricted visas for Chinese
officials over human rights in Xinjiang and rejected Beijing's sweeping claims
in the dispute-rife South China Sea. Trump has also loudly blamed China for
COVID-19, news of which was suppressed when cases first emerged in Wuhan late
last year. Critics at home and abroad accuse Trump of seeking to divert
attention in an election year from his response to the crisis in the United
States, which has suffered the highest death toll of any country.
Amine Gemayel tackles overall situation with US ambassador
NNA/July 15/2020
Former President, Amine Gemayel, on Wednesday welcomed at his Bekfaya office the
US Ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy Shea, with whom he discussed the Lebanese
crisis at the political, economic and financial levels, and the American policy
vis-a-vis the region. The meeting was an occasion to emphasize the US support to
Lebanon, as a state, people and institutions, and the priority of reforms
through the fight against corruption and the control of illegal crossings by
land, sea and air, as well as structural reforms, starting with the electricity
sector. The conferees also considered that such reforms provide a basis for
governance and a mandatory passage en route to the success of negotiations
conducted by the Lebanese government with the International Monetary Fund and
any other negotiations with donor sides through "CEDRE" or any similar
framework. Discussions also touched on the issue of UNIFIL's mandate renewal in
south Lebanon.
Demonstration sets out from theTourism Ministry towards
Moucharafieh's residence in Hamra
NNA/July 15/2020
A number of protesters set out in a demonstration from outside the Ministry of
Tourism, heading towards the residence of Tourism Minister Ramzi Msharrafieh, in
Hamra Street, demanding his resignation, amid deployment of security forces in
front of the building's entrance, NNA Correspondent reported.
Protesters raised banners calling for the establishment of a civil state and the
resignation of the government.
Ramco announces vacancies for Lebanese workers
NNA/July 15/2020
"Ramco" company on Wednesday announced vacancies for Lebanese workers to collect
and sweeping solid household waste in Beirut city, as well as the Matn and
Keserwan districts. This announcement is in compliance with the Labor Minister's
plan to support and encourage Lebanese workers, create job opportunities for the
Lebanese, and replace foreign workers with Lebanese workers, especially given
the circumstances that the country endures. Accordingly, Ramco called on those
wishing to work for the company to visit its headquarters and fill employment
applications, noting that "preference is for residents within the scope of the
company's work."
Diab meets delegation of Economic and Social Council’s
Office Authority
NNA/July 15/2020
Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Wednesday met at the Grand Serail with a
delegation of the Economic and Social Council’s Office Authority, headed by
Charles Arbeed, with talks reportedly touching on the expedited measures paper
designed to facilitate economic recovery and speed up the implementation of the
paper’s items. The meeting discussed a well the possibility of establishing an
unemployment fund and the possible relevant funding mechanism.
Premier Diab also met with Tunisian Ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Karim
Boudali, who came on a farewell visit.—PM press office
Sami Gemayel: Why does Hezbollah not hand over weapons to
government?
NNA/July 15/2020
Kataeb party leader, MP Sami Gemayel, said on Wednesday that Lebanon is paying
the cost of Hezbollah’s arms in terms of isolation and sanctions, wondering why
the party is not handing over its weapons to a government it has put in place or
to the President of the Republic who is its ally.
In an interview with OTV, Gemayel reiterated his belief in the neutrality of
Lebanon with regard to the conflicts in the region, supporting the words of the
Maronite patriarch in this regard.
The Latest LCCC English analysis &
editorials from miscellaneous sources published on July 15-16/2020
Hindi: Erdogan, a jihadist with a necktie
Dr. Toufic Hindi/AMCFD/July 15/2020
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was behind the production of the famous and
interesting Turkish series “Resurrection Ertugrul,” which ran for five seasons
from December 2014 till November 2018 and can be seen today on Netflix. Its hero
is the jihadist leader Ertugrul, the father of Othman the founder of the Ottoman
Empire. It is about Turks and Islam. Its aim is ideological: the promotion of
Islamic fundamentalism.
Erdogan is the leader of the Turkish Muslim Brotherhood party. He is in the
process of Islamizing the secular Turkey of Ataturk step by step. Nevertheless,
Erdogan continues to wear a necktie at this stage.
No one should be surprised of Erdogan’s decision to reverse the 1935 decision of
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the secular Republic of Turkey, who
transformed Aya Sophia from a mosque to a museum. By reversing this decision,
Erdogan is insuring his Islamic legitimacy and promoting himself as the genuine
heir of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire. It is worthwhile recalling that the
Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, who conquered Constantinople in 1453, ordered the
cathedral Aya Sophia be converted into a mosque.
It is also worth noting on this occasion, the sudden surge of Islamic
fundamentalism in Erdogan’s behavior, and the presence of historic ideological
links between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which
could explain the political positions and behaviors of the leaders of both
countries in the past, the present and the future. The ideology of Muslim
Brotherhood has been influenced by the writings of the Persian cleric Jamal El
Din Al Afghani. Conversely, the Khomeinist ideology has been influenced by the
important thinker of the Muslim Brotherhood, Sayed Qutb, the cantor of jihadism.
The Supreme Guide of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei, translated some
of his books in the 1970’s.
Khalid Islambouli, the murderer of the Egyptian President Sadat, has a street in
Teheran in his name. And of course, the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood
organization, Hamas, is backed by Teheran.
Khamenei called the Arab uprisings “the Islamic Spring,” instead of “the Arab
Spring.” He was convinced the Islamic Revolution in Iran had triggered these
uprisings and had good relations with Egypt when it was under Muslim Brotherhood
rule.
Thus, the non-Islamic states worldwide; especially the Western states; have to
grasp the reality of these Islamic entities and the danger they represent to
world stability and peace. The West needs an over-arching plan to deal with
Islamism in all its varieties, not just to react to each separate event
individually, such as the issue of Aya Sophia.
*Dr. Toufic Hindi is a Lebanese politician, a university professor, and a
commentator. He was the political advisor to the Commander of the Lebanese
Forces, Dr. Samir Geagea, from 1986 to 1994 (when Dr. Geagea was jailed by the
pro-Syrian regime in Beirut). Hindi played a central role in the LF and in the
opposition to the Syrian occupation of Lebanon between 1994 and 2005. In that
period, he was arrested and jailed by the pro-Syrian regime of Lebanon before he
was released by the courts.
German gov’t removes Taiwan flag, permits
Palestinian flag
Benjamin Weinthal/he Jerusalem Post/July 15/2020
"The foreign ministry representative claimed the change was in keeping with
Germany's ‘one China policy.'" Germany’s Foreign Ministry has deleted the Taiwan
flag from its website while allowing the non-state of Palestine’s to remain on
its homepage, sparking outrage on social media and from Taiwan’s government
about bias. “Germany was found to have unceremoniously replaced Taiwan’s flag
with a blank, white banner under its listing for the country on the Foreign
Ministry website – prompting one reporter to ask if it was a white flag of
surrender to China,” online news portal Taiwan News reported Monday.
A reporter asked German Foreign Ministry spokesman Rainer Breul, “Since when did
the official website of the German Foreign Ministry no longer use Taiwan’s
flag?” He then asked why the Palestinian flag can still be found on the website
even though it is not an officially recognized country, the report said.
Breul could not provide an answer.
Germany’s Free Democratic Party MP Bijan Djir-Sarai tweeted about the removal of
the Taiwan flag: “I cannot believe that. That would be embarrassing and unworthy
of the Federal Foreign Office.”
“The Federal Foreign Office [Foreign Ministry] website recently deleted the flag
of Taiwan and replaced it with a plain, white rectangle,” Taiwan News reported.
“During a press conference on Friday (July 10) the Foreign Ministry
representative claimed the change was in keeping with Germany’s ‘One-China
policy.’”
When asked at a press conference about the deletion of Taiwan’s flag, Breul said
that “it isn’t a current change.” “You know Taiwan’s special status,” he said.
“You know our position, our ‘One-China policy.’ We have no diplomatic relations
with Taiwan, and Taiwan is not a country we recognize, so this is not
surprising. When we introduce regions of the world, we distinguish them from
countries with diplomatic ties.” Taiwan Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson
Joanne Ou on Monday said the ministry finds Germany’s action unacceptable, and
it “will only cause unnecessary misunderstandings with the people of all
countries,” Taiwan News reported. “We express our hope that the German side can
properly adjust the web design of the German Federal Foreign Office in a more
equitable and consistent manner to avoid discriminatory misunderstandings,” she
added.
Twitter user “Chiang Kai Shek” pointed out that the flag of Palestine does
indeed appear, while for Taiwan the website displays the white flag, the
international symbol for surrender, Taiwan News reported. He then asked,
“Germany thinks Taiwan surrendered?”
*Benjamin Weinthal is a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of
Democracies. Follow Benjamin on Twitter @BenWeinthal.
Netanyahu aide said to admit US in no mood
for annexation, so PM won’t go ahead
Jacob Magid/The Times Of Israel/July 15/2020
Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin has acknowledged in private conversations that no
attention is currently being given in Washington to Israeli plans to annex up to
30 percent of the West Bank, according to a Tuesday Army Radio report.
As a result, Levin reportedly said, the controversial move will likely have to
be placed on the back burner as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not move
forward without coordinating with the Trump administration.
The US administration’s attention is elsewhere, the report claimed Levin had
said, and “it is not listening” when it comes to annexation.
The White House has said repeatedly that it is up to Israel to decide on
annexation, but has yet to give a definitive answer as to whether it is prepared
to support and recognize the unilateral annexation now of part or all of the 30%
of the West Bank allocated to Israel in its peace plan. While similar comments
have been made in recent weeks by Likud officials who have acknowledged that the
spiraling pandemic has forced the attention of world leaders to turn to other
issues, Levin is one of only a handful of Israeli officials who have been deeply
involved in talks with American officials regarding the Trump plan’s
implementation and ramifications. Levin also sits on the seven-member joint
US-Israeli mapping committee that has been tasked with drawing up the exact
parameters for annexation that Washington will be willing to accept. The
committee’s progress has been slowed by the pandemic, with Netanyahu telling
settler leaders and even Defense Minister Benny Gantz that the maps have yet to
be finalized. Settler leaders responded angrily to Tuesday’s Army Radio report,
asserting that US approval is not needed for Israel to move forward with
annexation. “There is no need to wait for anyone. This move depends solely on
us. It is time to keep the promises made and apply [Israeli] sovereignty [to the
West Bank] regardless of any factor,” the Yesha umbrella council of settlement
mayors said in a statement, referring to the Likud premier’s repeated election
promises to carry out annexation if elected.
Samaria regional council head Yossi Dagan speaks during a ceremony at the Barkan
industrial zone in the West Bank on October 7, 2019. (Flash90)
The more hardline Samaria Regional Council chairman Yossi Dagan went further,
writing in a statement, “Never since the establishment of the state has a
nationalist government bowed and surrendered like this to the Americans.”
Dagan is among a plurality of the 24 settler mayors who have voiced their
opposition to the Trump plan because it conditionally earmarks 70% of the West
Bank for a potential Palestinian state. They have argued that Netanyahu must
move forward with annexation, but not in the context of the US peace proposal. A
slightly smaller camp of settler mayors led by Efrat Local Council chairman Oded
Revivi have argued that the plan’s theoretical proposal of a Palestinian state
is a pill worth swallowing as it comes with US recognition of Israeli
sovereignty over all settlements as well as the Jordan Valley — a development
that settler leaders could only have dreamed of before Trump took office.
Netanyahu’s coalition government set July 1 as the date from which it could
begin implementing Netanyahu’s pledge to unilaterally extend sovereignty to all
132 settlements in the West Bank and to the Jordan Valley, constituting together
about 30 percent of the West Bank, subject to American approval. But as the
target date came and went without any action, Netanyahu’s office said he would
continue to discuss the possible annexation with the US administration.
The US aside, the international community has voiced near-unanimous opposition
to unilateral annexation. On Monday, Jordan’s King Abdullah told British
lawmakers that the Netanyahu government’s plans would fuel instability and dim
slipping hopes for a peace agreement to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“Any unilateral Israeli measure to annex lands in the West Bank is unacceptable,
as it would undermine the prospects of achieving peace and stability in the
Middle East,” the Reuters news agency quoted Abdullah as having told members of
the Foreign and Defense parliamentary committee in virtual testimony.
On Erdogan Who Dislikes Museums
Hazem Saghieh/Asharq Al Awsat/July 15/2020
There is no reason to worry about Islam in Turkey: there are 82693 mosques in the country, 3113 of which are in Istanbul. The scarcity of museums, on the other hand, may be a cause for concern. According to the numbers released in 2017, there are only 438 museums there, 91 of them in Istanbul (35 are privately owned). The shortage of museums indicates an indifference to history and superficial and partial knowledge of it, understanding it purely as a series of battles and victories. Of course, in this poor reading of history, there is always an oppressed and vanquished faction that eventually becomes a victorious invader itself.
Turkey is among the nations most in need of a more just rereading of their history: What was done to the Armenians especially, but also to the Kurds, Greeks, Syriacs, Arabs, and Jews? With that, it refrains from doing so, satisfying itself with negation, denial, making allegations of treachery, and retreating with evasion and creating confusion. Is there a better evasion tactic than the concept of national sovereignty that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan clung to concerning Hagia Sofia's transformation from a museum into a mosque?
On the surface, Erdogan is right when he says that national sovereignty entitles him to do what he is doing. However, we have heard and continue to hear many rulers saying that national sovereignty gives them the absolute right to do whatever they want concerning “internal issues”. Imprisonment, killing, clawing back freedoms, crippling the press, and preventing dissent are all issues that outsiders are not entitled to interfere with. This has become a pillar of contemporary populist ideology across the planet.
Erdogan is not fond of the museum, as a symbol and as a preserver of history, especially since it displays the largesse of time and humanity’s collective shaping of history, even during periods of contention and conflict. The museum also displays the fleeting nature of things and demonstrates that everything disappears and disintegrates into lessons and morals. What the Turkish president is fond of, in contrast, is that the past which can be employed to further his day-to-day policies does not pass. Many commentators have already noted the developments that created his need to take such a step: deterioration of the economy which has been aggravated further by the coronavirus pandemic. The establishment of two opposition parties that came out from the cloak of Erdogan and his 'Justice and Development Party.' The omen cast by the municipal elections in Istanbul more than a year ago, in which the candidate he formally backed lost by a large margin. The failure to force back to Turkey his opponent, Fathallah Gulen, or to cover up his family’s corruption and the major transgressions that followed the coup attempt in the summer of 2016. His increased need for a popular mandate and the hardening of his Islamic base and that of his nationalist allies as his regional role expands. All of this calls for a major victory of history, one which can be employed in day-to-day politics to provoke "the people" against "the enemy."
With the Hagia Sophia move, Erdogan succeeded in playing on the famed Turkish tradition of merging religion and nationalism. He managed to obliterate his divergence with Ataturk concerning museums and demonstrate their alignment on the issue of sovereignty, and he also managed to make others' objections to his decision akin to national betrayal. Nevertheless, the Turkish president would be better off refraining from directing accusations of flaring the "clash of civilizations" at everyone but himself and making the past, a distorted interpretation of it, the standard for judging the present and the future. It is enough that, since his recent decision regarding Hagia Sophia's status, converting mosques into churches, churches into mosques and following the reactions of the world's religious authorities to the decision have become leading global issues!
This goes beyond investing in hatred; it is a manifestation of hatred controlling reason entirely.
Indeed, Erdogan’s fantasy of empire once had him working on the transfer of the tomb of Osman bin Ertugrul in Syria and, another time, dressing his guards in the old Ottoman uniform. His choice for the date of the opening of the old-new mosque, July 24, is the day the Treaty of Lausanne was signed in 1923, as though changing the Hagia Sohpia’s status is a response to it. In fact, this treaty was considered a victory for the new Turkish nation-state, with much more favorable terms than that which preceded it, the Treaty of Severe, but the move was also considered to be a dedication of the Ottoman Empire's end. Something similar could be said about the militaristic adventurism in Libya, where the Italian 1911 invasion was among the events that put the Empire on its path toward collapse.
Today, imperial wars are fought with symbols more than they are in reality, but they are also fought with the lies that we know very well: claiming that "liberating Al-Aqsa Mosque" is the next step or exploiting the refugee issue as blackmail to the Europeans whose Union joining is desired. This and that demonstrate that a purely imperial mindset, in the post-imperial era, does not require more than a thug from the Kasimpaşa district in Istanbul, where Erdogan was born and raised and played football.
A Lower Death Rate Doesn’t Make the US Covid Surge OK
Max Nisen/Bloomberg/July 15/2020
The recent spike in US Covid-19 infections has mercifully been accompanied by a declining death count. There were days in the spring when the country had half the number of cases but twice as many deaths. Now, at least, the US is testing more widely.
And even though death is a lagging indicator, and the numbers are likely to catch up to some degree, there is reason to hope that the lag could now be longer and slower than it was in the spring. After all, much has been learned about how to treat Covid-19 patients.
At the same time, however, a lower death count is no justification for states to reopen their economies incautiously or to suggest, as the White House appears to be doing, that Americans should just get used to living with Covid-19.
Fatalities lag behind cases because Covid-19 is a rather slow-going illness. It takes time to develop an infection severe enough to require hospitalization. It can take longer still for an acute infection to result in death. Add in that deaths aren’t always reported in a timely manner, and you see why fatalities are slow to rise and fall. Note that at the moment, the US is less than a month into a sustained increase in cases.
Rising death tolls in hot-spot states such as Arizona, Florida and Texas have been balanced so far by declining figures in initially hard-hit states that now have the virus better under control.
California is an unusual case. Its case numbers are rising, yet its death count is still flat. This may be evidence that fewer of those people most likely to die from Covid-19 are now contracting the virus. This possibility is reinforced by data from several other states showing that Covid cases are skewing younger. Such an age shift means that more people arriving at the hospital have a better chance of surviving.
Once there, patients of all ages are getting better treatment. Remdesivir is helping some, and the steroid dexamethasone is preventing deaths among the severely ill. Having patients lie on their stomachs, a practice known as proning, may also improve outcomes. Covid patients do better in hospitals that are less crowded and overwhelmed, which many have been, until recently.
It must be kept in mind, however, that a lower average death count — say, 500 a day — is still tragic. And if the US continues to add 50,000-plus new cases a day, the number of deaths will rise. Rampant case growth will inevitably breach measures that lead to better outcomes.
If current trends continue, the virus will inevitably spread to more older Americans and other vulnerable people in households with those who get out into the community. Few states provide housing for infected people to wait out the virus.
And as hospitals in some hot spots fill up, the crowding will lead to more deaths — from Covid-19 as well as other illnesses for which people cannot get care.
Nor is death the only concern raised by rising infection rates. Covid-19 may also cause significant harm to those who survive. Organ damage might be lasting, and extended time in a hospital or on a ventilator can weaken people for months.
The long-term consequences of infection, still poorly understood, are not included in the data that appear on state and national dashboards. But it’s obvious that with the numbers the US has seen in the past month — more than a million new infections and more than 30,000 people hospitalized — many more people, and the health system, will feel the effects for years to come.
Covid patients probably have a better chance of survival now than they did in March. They’ll almost certainly have even better odds a few months hence. But that’s no reason to allow infections to keep soaring.
The ECB Can't Slow
its Stimulus Buying Yet
Ferdinando Giugliano/Bloomberg/July 15/2020
The European Central Bank has been at the forefront of the euro zone’s economic
response to the Covid-19 crisis. As political leaders scramble to conjure up a
joint fiscal response, the central bank’s governing council can afford to stand
still when it meets on Thursday. Since the pandemic in Europe appears relatively
contained, some central bankers may find it tempting to discuss when and how to
begin withdrawing emergency stimulus measures. President Christine Lagarde
should ignore such suggestions: The ECB has to continue supporting the economy
and be ready to do even more if needed. The outlook in the euro area is somewhat
less gloomy than it appeared just a few weeks ago. Unlike other parts of the
world, including the US, member states have managed to reopen their economies
without triggering a second wave of infections. A string of encouraging
indicators, including rising industrial production and retail sales, point to an
economic rebound. The uptick is being seen across all member states, assuaging
fears of a two-speed recovery: fast in some countries, such as Germany, slower
in others, including Spain and Italy.
These signs will strengthen the voices of those who are fearful of the side
effects of the ECB’s recent interventions, which include launching a 750 billion
euro ($855 billion) program of bond purchases; relaxing its buying criteria so
that it can direct its firepower where it is most needed; and offering a very
generous lending scheme for banks.
In particular, Jens Weidmann, president of Germany’s Bundesbank, has expressed
concerns that deviating from the standard rules for allocating purchases may
offer governments the wrong incentives. Isabel Schnabel, a member of the
executive board from Germany, has said the ECB could buy fewer bonds than
anticipated.
Still, the ECB would be wise to err on the side of caution and delay any
discussion on its exit strategy. The health situation remains precarious: While
most countries appear to be successfully containing the virus through a strategy
of local lockdowns, there is a growing fear over cases being imported from other
countries where the pandemic is still raging.
There are also questions over how fast exports can rebound so long as the
outlook abroad remains uncertain. Governments across Europe are shielding the
labor market through unprecedented furlough schemes, but domestic demand is
bound to suffer when this support ends. And it is unclear how ambitious the deal
over the “recovery fund” European leaders are set to negotiate over the weekend
will be, given the divisions between member states. Given all this, it is very
unlikely that inflation will return close to the ECB’s target of just below 2%
anytime soon. After a shaky start, the ECB has given the euro zone all the help
it needs to mitigate a catastrophic downturn and maintain financial stability.
However, the recovery is still in its infancy, and numerous threats to it
remain. Lagarde shouldn’t give in to the overly optimistic. It’s best to be
content with staying the course.