The newspaper "Al-Liwaa" reported that in the last week of March, starting Wednesday, a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to visit Beirut to continue negotiations regarding the economic recovery plan and the required reforms, particularly related to lifting or amending banking secrecy laws due to tax evasion and concealment of gains obtained through illegal means. Meanwhile, French envoy Pierre Duquesne, tasked by the Élysée with following up on the required Lebanese reforms, will arrive to review the electricity plan and assess the progress made regarding financial and administrative reforms.
All of this is occurring against the backdrop of developments related to the confrontation between the judiciary and banks, following the significant step of arresting Raja Salameh, the brother of the Central Bank Governor, Riad Salameh, and his removal from his position at the bank, as his arrest is seen as a pathway to target Riad Salameh himself. The Attorney General in Mount Lebanon, Judge Ghada Aoun, issued an arrest warrant for Salameh after listening to him and investigating allegations brought forth by the legal department of the "Justice Pioneers" group regarding money laundering and unlawful enrichment at the expense of the Central Bank's treasury. This followed Aoun's earlier decision to prevent the travel of the chairman of the “Bank of Credit” and freeze the bank's assets as part of the investigation. Aoun also placed a restriction on actions concerning the shares, stakes, and properties of Bank “Credit” in all commercial companies, based on the complaint filed against banks by the "People Want to Reform the System" group. This bank is the sixth to face such measures from Aoun after the “Beirut,” “Société Générale,” “Mide,” “Audi,” and “Lebanon and the Emigrant” banks. Following the closure of Fransabank by another judge, the Association of Banks called for a general strike.
The pressing question is: Who will protect the country from the repercussions of the ongoing clash between President Michel Aoun and his team, Riad Salameh, the Association of Banks, and their supporting forces, particularly regarding the pressure on the dollar or liquidity loss? The support for the judicial actions has been bolstered by the Judges' Club of Lebanon, which stated that “the decision to execute a seizure of the assets of Fransabank is part of a series of similar judicial decisions when a bank fails to repay the deposits of its depositors,” adding that this measure is particularly employed by banks when their debtors default on repaying loans and debts. The statement emphasized that “Fransabank had been given a formal warning according to regulations and continued to abstain from voluntary execution” and reiterated that "the bank used the available channels for appeal before the issuance of the seizure order and did not obtain any decision to suspend the ongoing execution against it, as the court dismissed the request to halt execution."
In this context, the Depositors' Association declared that "Fransabank" distorted the significant and unprecedented judicial event witnessed by the Lebanese, which involved the seizure of the bank's main treasury, shares, and properties in preparation for their public auction under the decision made by Judge Meryana Anani in the Execution Division in Beirut, in favor of a depositor demanding his deposit. Political sources indicated that the systematic targeting of the banking sector, through the presidency-driven judiciary led by Judge Ghada Aoun, with fabricated allegations, whether in pursuing Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh or in pursuing the chairmen of several prominent banks, and also against the Director-General of Internal Security Forces, Major General Imad Othman, is meant to exert severe indirect political pressure on the government, seeking to blackmail it over sensitive and significant files. This comes after it failed to align with MP Gibran Bassil, the political heir of the President, regarding issues of critical state appointments and replacing the Central Bank Governor, who has become one of Bassil's targets to serve the presidency and the party ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, after the term has failed to deliver on any of the promises and vague slogans issued over the years.
The sources noted that the trend of this ongoing campaign, which is intensifying particularly after the dropping of Bassil’s demand to establish the Silat electricity plant from the sustainable electricity plan approved by the Cabinet the day before yesterday, signals serious repercussions, indicating an escalation of political disputes and the possibility of uncalculated reactions from the banks, which convened for an emergency session today to respond to politically motivated judicial measures against the banking sector in general. There is a possibility that the banks will announce a strike and a general shutdown in protest, which could negatively impact the overall economic and financial activities in the country, leading to public discontent and potential street protests against the ongoing issues, risks that have begun to emerge regarding their overall situation.
The sources remarked that what is happening with regard to the judiciary of Ghada Aoun targeting the banking sector also suggests a well-planned scenario to derail the parliamentary elections after several attempts by the head of the National Free Movement to amend the election law, including a recent effort to establish mega centers, to no avail. They added that signs of tension due to the systematic judicial measures are starting to manifest as government dissatisfaction, which was illustrated by Prime Minister Najib Mikati's public statement the day before yesterday, seemingly sounding the alarm for all those manipulating judge Ghada Aoun for political gains, hinting at uncalculated steps that might lead to resignations, which could have repercussions on the overall conduct of parliamentary elections since it would be impossible to hold elections under a resigning government. The sources warned against this dangerous scenario played out by the term, aiming to plunge the country into a parliamentary void, which appears to be on the horizon, with the accompanying risks concerning the presidential elections slated for a few months later, plunging the country into a void, with potentially harmful and dangerous repercussions.
Amid this judicial and banking turmoil, both the unofficial electoral movement and the official efforts to address the current issues and crises dominate the general situation in the country, alongside the pressing living concerns, where, for example, the price of a kilogram of sugar rose to 30,000 lira yesterday, unchecked by the measures of the Minister of Economy and consumer protection monitors nor the state security and general security measures against prices and trader greed. Presidents Aoun, Nabih Berri, and Najib Mikati are meeting in Baabda today to discuss a unified Lebanese response to the American mediator Amos Hochstein's proposal about maritime borders demarcation.
On the parliamentary elections front, Speaker Nabih Berri reviewed the preparations for the elections with Interior and Municipalities Minister Bassam Mawlawi. Following the meeting, Mawlawi indicated that he briefed Berri on all the atmospheres and preparations carried out by the Ministry of Interior regarding the electoral process and all the details that are monitored day by day, from administrative preparations to the completion of nominations, leading to subsequent phases, while coordinating with governors, town clerks, and other stakeholders to secure a permanent power supply on election day.
He added: “We talked about all atmospheres, especially on the security level. We are determined to conduct the elections and remove all obstacles that may hinder the elections, urging the Lebanese to trust us because we are ready for the elections; this is a right owed to the Lebanese people." Meanwhile, efforts continued on the ground to form lists in all districts, but alliances will be finalized next week in some districts and then in others.
The Future Movement issued a statement indicating that Dr. Ruba Dalati and Brigadier General Mahmoud Al-Jamal have submitted their resignations from the Future Movement, which will be accepted, wishing them success while confirming the necessity of adhering to not using the movement's name, symbols, or literature as candidates for the parliamentary elections. This decision came after Dalati and Al-Jamal expressed their desire to run for elections in the Beirut II district, which is also witnessing intensive talks to finalize list formations, especially the lists of President Fouad Siniora and the president of An-Nasr Club, Nabil Badr, in addition to other lists. In the Chouf-Aley area, the Progressive Socialist Party and the Lebanese Forces are striving to finalize the name of the candidate for the third Maronite seat in Chouf and the second Maronite seat in Aley. According to some information, the list supported by the Socialist and Forces in Chouf-Aley includes: 1- Taymour Jumblatt (Socialist - Chouf - Druze). 2- Marwan Hamadeh (Socialist - Chouf - Druze). 3- Bilal Abdullah (Socialist - Chouf - Sunni). 4- Saad الدين الخطيب (Independent - Chouf - Sunni). 5- George Adwan (Forces - Chouf). 6- Habouba Aoun (Socialist - Chouf - Maronite). 7- Fadi Maalouf (Liberals - Chouf - Catholic). 8- Nazih Metri (Forces - Aley - Orthodox). 9- Raji Al-Saad (Socialist - Aley - Maronite). 10- Akram Shehayeb (Socialist - Aley - Druze).
In the meantime, the Security Council heard in a consultation session regarding UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's report on the implementation of Resolution 1701, from the UN's General Coordinator in Lebanon, Joanna Fronczak, and the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix. The special coordinator provided an overview of the ongoing preparations for the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 15, emphasizing the need for reliability and predictability, especially regarding the finalization of the electoral budget, legislative framework, and effectiveness of the electoral monitoring authority. The special coordinator stated that "Lebanese voters need and deserve certainty and the ability to make their voices heard," hoping that women effectively participate in the elections as voters and candidates. While expressing concern over the ongoing social and economic deterioration, the suffering of the Lebanese people, and the depletion of the public sector, the special coordinator stressed the urgent need for tangible reforms. She highlighted the importance of having "a fair and credible economic and financial vision, sound financial management, tangible reforms in the electricity sector, an agreement with the IMF, an independent judiciary, good governance, and anti-corruption measures."
Regarding the electricity plan, which was approved by the Cabinet the day before yesterday, it remained a topic of discussion between Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Minister of Energy and Water Walid Fayyad, especially regarding financial support for Electricité du Liban. After the meeting, Fayyad stated that he followed up with the Prime Minister on the Cabinet's decision to approve the national plan for the sustainable revitalization of the electricity sector in Lebanon, the gas procurement requirements, and preparations related to tariffs, in addition to long-term items in the plan concerning new plants as noted in the orientation plan.
Additionally, Fayyad mentioned they discussed the financial support needed for Electricité du Liban to maintain and upgrade power plants for gas supply and also benefit from Iraqi fuel. This financial support is an integral part of the electricity plan that was approved.
In another matter, Minister of Economy and Trade Amin Salam held a press conference outside the Justice Palace in Jdeideh, addressing the issue of generators and their violations, as well as the actions taken by the ministry against some owners of these violations. He said, "We have issued six decisions on behalf of the Lebanese people, and I will name them. They have had their imprisonment substituted with fines, while in case of recurrence, imprisonment becomes a reality." He added: "The first decision is against Emil Habib Ghassan Al-Sikhan, RG إش. Eyad Dagher (with repeated rulings), Youssef Kiroz, and Paul Georges Moawad, each of whom was fined thirty million lira after the imprisonment was replaced with a fine. These records have been issued and implemented, and actions will continue with the competent judge and relevant security agencies."
Salam clarified that the most significant violations involved the failure to install meters and comply with the Ministry of Energy's pricing and prepayments, among other innovations, stating, "The ministry has allowed space for cooperation, but if there is no response, the ministry will not relent, especially since there is oppression against citizens, particularly the sick." He concluded by saying, "The road is long, and all must respect the laws in this difficult crisis. Let what happened today be a lesson for everyone, especially since there are significant files for some generator owners, and we will take greater actions than thirty million lira because we will remain with the citizens."
Concerning generators as well, reports emerged of a violent clash and heavy gunfire occurring in the southern suburb due to tensions among several individuals from the Shamseddine and Hamadeh families. Initial information indicates that the cause is related to generator subscriptions. Meanwhile, it was reported that the General Assembly of the Association of Tank Truck Owners and Fuel Transport Contractors in Lebanon met at the headquarters of the General Labor Union, in attendance of the head of the Road Transport Union, Bassam Tlais, and decided that next Tuesday would be a general strike day for all fuel tankers across Lebanon.
**Two Bombs and a Clash**
Simultaneously, two noise grenades were thrown near a center belonging to the "Lebanese Forces" at 5 AM yesterday in Ain al-Rammaneh. Concerned sources linked the grenade throwing to a court session regarding the release of several detainees in the events of Shiyah Ain al-Rammaneh, where three detainees are set to be released. The Lebanese army security forces have conducted patrols to reassure residents. In another incident, a clash with gunfire occurred yesterday afternoon among several individuals in Bir al-Abed in the southern suburb of Beirut between members of the Shamseddine and Hamadeh families, attributed to disputes over electricity generators. Official sources expressed concern over potential attempts to create security disruptions and social tensions in the lead-up to the elections that could threaten their execution.
**COVID-19 Update**
On the health front, the Ministry of Health reported today the registration of 508 new COVID-19 cases and 6 fatalities in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total to 1,086,890 confirmed cases since February 21, 2020.
