In its report, the newspaper "Al-Liwaa" noted that today marks the first day of spring, characterized by severe cold and frost, amid a lack of heating materials such as diesel, gas, and even firewood. However, what will be remembered today is the announcement by banks, on the first day of the week before the last of March, to implement a general strike and closure that extends to tomorrow. This strike is a protest against what they described as judicial measures taken by some judges against banks and financial institutions, and a demand for the state, through its institutions—primarily the Parliament—to approve the capital control law and legislate regarding the rights of depositors and banks alike.
Today, the dimensions of the confrontation between the Mount Lebanon Attorney General Ghada Aoun and the Governor of the Banque du Liban, Riad Salameh, are also becoming apparent. Salameh was quoted as saying that if the situation reaches the trial of his detained brother Rajeh Salameh, he will speak out and reveal hidden information. It is worth noting that Aoun's decision comes with two options: either to prosecute him and refer him to the first investigative judge, Nicolas Mansour, or to release him according to the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Banks are executing their precautionary strike today and tomorrow following judicial actions against some of them, which they deemed unjust or exaggerated. They are awaiting the necessary remedies from the judiciary, which the Cabinet requested during its session last Saturday. Meanwhile, political events moved yesterday to Rome and the Vatican with President Michel Aoun's visit to Italy, where he will meet with Pope Francis and senior Italian officials.
Political sources are closely monitoring the implementation of what was agreed upon during the Cabinet session at the end of last week regarding halting the judicial violations conducted by Judge Ghada Aoun, which involve fabricating cases and issuing judicial summonses at the behest of the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil. These actions have been directed against Riad Salameh, heads of some banks, and anyone who refuses to cooperate with the destructive policies of the presidency for personal political goals, causing turmoil in the banking sector and the general strike today and tomorrow, with threats of an open-ended strike if these violations and politically motivated prosecutions continue.
Sources expect that the outcomes of the Cabinet session will temporarily curb the violations carried out by Judge Aoun and freeze the fabricated prosecutions she instituted against several involved parties, awaiting actions from the Higher Judicial Council, particularly the Attorney General of Cassation, Judge Ghassan Ouiedat, to restore matters to their rightful place and prevent any excesses by Judge Aoun or others, emphasizing strict application of these measures to protect the reputation of the judiciary and prevent any disruptions to the public interest.
However, the aforementioned sources viewed the reactions from the Free Patriotic Movement and the approach taken by the Minister of Justice, tasked with following up on the results of the Cabinet session in coordination with the Higher Judicial Council, as a negative indicator, indicating a persistent exploitation of the judiciary for political vendettas to achieve particular objectives. This could either reignite the waning support of voters for the Free Patriotic Movement ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, or instigate popular chaos leading to a postponement of elections, or to eliminate any opposition to Bassil's presidential aspirations from potential candidates or opposing political entities.
The sources revealed that a meeting for the Association of Banks is scheduled for today to evaluate the results of the Cabinet session and determine the seriousness of the measures taken regarding whether to limit the strike to two days or declare an open strike should there be apparent lack of seriousness in enforcing the decisions made to halt the cycle of malicious judicial prosecutions.
The Cabinet and the Judiciary
An extraordinary Cabinet session was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Najib Mikati last Saturday to discuss the judicial situation, during which ministers of public works, social affairs, and energy were absent due to travel.
Mikati, based on a call with Minister of Justice Henry Khoury, decided to heed Khoury's view regarding the absence of the heads of the three judicial authorities—Chief Justice Soheil Aboud, Attorney General Ghassan Ouiedat, and Chief Inspector Burkan Saad—from the session despite their invitation, in order to affirm the independence of the judiciary from political authority, as judicial sources said to "Al-Liwaa." However, coordination remained ongoing between the Minister of Justice and the three judges regarding any recommended actions or recommendations for the Cabinet.
Mikati was quoted as saying regarding the invitation to the three judicial heads: “It is better to listen to them and discuss the flaws in the judicial system rather than allowing matters to escalate into tensions that the country cannot afford. What is decided in the Cabinet will be followed up starting Monday (today) for the necessary actions to be taken. Everyone must bear their responsibilities, or else every incident will have its own discussion.”
The session witnessed various interventions from ministers concerning judicial matters, with more emphasis focusing on finding a middle ground that satisfies everyone, primarily ensuring the rights of depositors in banks and owners of salary accounts so they are not the victims, as well as regulating the operation of the judiciary. Mikati reiterated that he is keen on respecting the judiciary's independence and not interfering in its affairs, noting that the manner in which some investigations are conducted is damaging to the judiciary and the banking system, and he urged judicial authorities to rectify matters.
Minister of Labor Mustafa stated that “there is a suspicion in public opinion that the government is moving to protect banks and has not acted for the sake of depositors and people's rights,” to which Mikati responded by denying this accusation, reaffirming his commitment to the law, authority, and the rights of depositors.
Minister of Agriculture Abbas Hajj Hassan expressed support for the principle that the public interest should govern any measures taken regarding the judicial-banking topic, rejecting arbitrariness in judicial decisions; he emphasized that if the judiciary had done its part, we would not have reached this situation.
Separately, Minister of Culture Muhammad Wissan Al-Murtada presented his stance against demolishing the wheat silos in the Port of Beirut, despite a ministerial committee's decision for demolition. In light of the differing opinions, Mikati stated that he would ask a private company for its opinion on the subject.
Additionally, starting from the responsibility of the government in shaping public policy in the country, and from the principle of cooperation between authorities, the Cabinet requested that the law be implemented without discrimination and that initiatives to address the judicial situation be taken appropriately and according to the powers prescribed by the applicable laws, to be handled by components of the judiciary based on their specialties—creating a balance that preserves the rights of everyone, especially the rights of depositors.
Mikati continued: “In this context, we reiterated the decision made in the previous session to mandate the Minister of Justice to formulate a vision for addressing the judicial situations and remedying any flaws that may arise and present them to the Cabinet soon. In a related context, we mandated the Minister of Finance to ask the Banque du Liban to take the necessary measures without delay to prevent the imposition of withdrawal limits on salaries and pensions lodged in banks.”
When asked if disassociation is possible, Mikati replied: “Nothing is off the table, and nothing prevents it. We are here not to protect anyone, and all discussions that took place within the Cabinet were not aimed at protecting the banks or the Governor of the Banque du Liban but rather at protecting institutions and the country. Matters must proceed according to what the laws require in every sense of the word. When I speak of protecting the Banque du Liban, it is self-evident that we protect the judiciary and judges, most of whom are experienced and issue decisions and judgments respected by all.”
Aoun in Rome
Before President Michel Aoun arrived in Rome for a meeting with Pope Francis and his Italian counterpart, he received Minister of Justice Henry Khoury, who briefed him on the outcomes of the Cabinet session discussing what could be done to address the judicial-banking impasse and contain its repercussions.
Aoun did not miss the opportunity to declare upon his arrival in Rome that Lebanon is going through a phase due to years of mismanagement of public affairs, and affirmed that Christianity in Lebanon is not in danger.
Aoun arrived in Rome yesterday, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, to meet with the Pope, the Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Giovanni Paolo Galagher.
He will also visit Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Tuesday to congratulate him on his re-election as President of Italy and to discuss bilateral relations and ways to develop them in all fields.
Upon his arrival in Rome, Aoun said: “I bring to His Holiness Pope Francis a message of love on behalf of the Lebanese and a renewed invitation to visit Lebanon to restore hope for a recovery journey.”
Kuwait
The day before, Prime Minister Mikati had a phone call with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, to follow up on the Kuwaiti efforts to restore Lebanese-Gulf relations to normal.
Official information indicates that the Kuwaiti minister confirmed to the Prime Minister that “efforts are progressing towards restoring Lebanese-Gulf relations to normal, and expressed his satisfaction with the steps taken by the Lebanese government to clarify the course of these relations, hoping for a swift return to normalcy.”
Saniora: A Blocking Third Against Hezbollah
On the electoral front, former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora indicated that “Hezbollah, which was seeking a blocking third, is now attempting to obtain a two-thirds majority constitutionally and legally through the parliamentary elections to legitimize its weapon.” He pointed out that “there should be a blocking third in the government against Hezbollah to prevent it from dominating the state.”
Saniora clarified in an interview with LBC that “there are those who try to push the Lebanese to doubt the occurrence of elections, and even if some try to postpone them, we must all focus our efforts on ensuring that elections happen and participate strongly to choose the right option to prevent Lebanon from falling into a state of chaos.”
He added that “Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries have distanced themselves from Lebanon because it refrained from implementing reforms, leading to a significant disruption in Lebanon’s foreign policy.” Saniora affirmed that “from the start, I did not intend to run for election, and Lebanon should return to the Arab embrace for the country's benefit.”
He argued that “there should be no shelter for anyone in Lebanon, and everyone should be held accountable; however, accusations without solid evidence are forbidden, as is attacking innocent individuals and political opponents for electoral purposes. There is judicial chaos happening in Lebanon, exemplified by Judge Ghada Aoun, who is receiving directives from the presidential palace, and the independence of the judiciary must be respected.” He asserted that “what is occurring within the judiciary destroys the economy and weakens international confidence in Lebanon.”
He noted that there is judicial chaos, similar to what Judge Ghada Aoun, an expert in financial prosecution, is doing, which leads to widespread destruction. Even the judiciary, we have begun to doubt it," he stated.
He accused Hezbollah of wanting to maintain its grip on the country and attempting to secure a two-thirds majority in the elections, allowing it to install its desired president and legalize its weapon.
Saniora stressed that participation in the elections aims to prevent a blocking third and the dominance of the state by the militia. He warned that Hezbollah is trying to use the vacuum or control the state through elections.
He emphasized that he is sensing Arab signals supportive of his candidacy and election participation, calling for Lebanon's return to the Arab fold.
He indicated that Lebanon lost nine opportunities between 1996 and 2006, totaling $33 billion in aid. He refuted claims that Prime Minister Saad Hariri called for a boycott, describing the boycott as a hasty decision.
To the people of Beirut, he said: “Beirut won’t be abandoned,” urging them to participate heavily in elections to save the state and criticizing what is termed “consensual democracy,” asserting that it is the right of Mr. Bahaa Hariri to participate in political life.
Elections
As electoral alliances and lists formation are expected to take shape in the coming days, the North Internal Agency of the Progressive Socialist Party and the Women’s Working Committee held a meeting in Tripoli to announce the candidacy of their representative, Aafra Eid, for the Sunni seat in the second electoral district of the North, attended by their candidate for the Shouf-Aaley district, Dr. Habouba Aoun, and several members of the party's leadership council.
The Lebanese Forces Party in Dubai called for a meeting with its candidates, former Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani, candidate for the Catholic seat in the Northern Matn District Melhem Riachi, and MPs Ziad Hawat and Shoukry Dacach at the Andalus Hall in the Habtour Hotel—Dubai. The meeting will be followed by a cocktail reception in honor of the attendees.
The media office of the Arab Unification Party issued a statement denying the publication of inaccuracies concerning the formation of the Shouf-Aaley list. It stated: “Party head Wiam Wahhab confirmed the decision for a joint list with the Free Patriotic Movement and the head of the Democratic Party, Prince Talal Arslan, and Minister Najib Bustani.”
It added: Minister Wahhab has been working for some time to engage in the electoral battle with a list that accommodates all allies, aimed at preserving coexistence and stabilizing residents in their villages through development and projects.
In the political-electoral stance, Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah Sheikh Naim Qassem stated that anyone attacking Hezbollah in the media to gain votes will fail in their endeavor, despite the financial support they receive to combat the party. He asserted that the upcoming parliamentary elections will reveal their failure in their declared objectives against Hezbollah and its supporters.
During a celebration in the eastern Bekaa town of Al-Khadr, Sheikh Qassem called on the Lebanese government to “seek solutions and avoid supporting those with financial power,” emphasizing the need for “the law to take its course and for the government to accelerate its work in formulating a plan for the country's economic recovery.”
Banks and Fuel Stations
As a result of the banks’ closure, reports indicated that fuel stations witnessed heavy crowds as citizens rushed to fill their tanks fearing a closure of the stations today and tomorrow, expecting operations to resume on Wednesday when banks reopen.
George Al-Braqs, a member of the station owners' syndicate, stated that “the strike by the banks in the coming two days caused confusion because stations pay oil companies cash for fuel from their bank accounts. Furthermore, the problem lies in how to rely on the 'Sayrafa' rate in the price setting table, as the price changes even if the banks are closed.”
He added: “If fuel companies distribute fuel, the problem will be resolved, but if they refrain, how can stations meet the citizens’ needs? Also, it depends on the price schedule and how it will be implemented.”
However, Fadi Abou Chakra, a representative of fuel distributors, announced that he received a call from Minister of Energy Walid Fayyad (currently in Qatar), asking station owners with inventories to open today to meet public needs.
Nevertheless, Minister of Energy and Water Walid Fayyad quickly stated that there is no gasoline crisis today. In a statement while in Qatar, he mentioned that he had contacted President Mikati and oil-importing companies, as well as the station syndicate, to address the issue by ensuring the delivery of goods, and thus pledging that the stations would open today.
To commemorate Mothers' Day, a group of women organized a sit-in titled “Put Away the Pots... We Want Our Rights” yesterday afternoon in Martyrs' Square. This event, organized by feminist activists and politicians from various organizations, sought to raise several demands, the most significant of which included: “ensuring their citizenship, granting nationality to their children, and addressing the killing of our sisters in cold blood while exonerating criminals under the pretexts of 'honor' and bursts of anger.” Additionally, they demanded an end to the guardianship over their children, to avoid forced marriages while minors, and to prevent injustices from religious and spiritual courts regarding divorce, marriage, alimony, and custody.
In the group's statement, this also addressed practices of extortion and sexual abuse that many women face in the corridors of the religious courts.
### Health
Health-wise, the Ministry of Health announced in its daily report the recording of 361 new COVID-19 cases and 5 deaths during the last 24 hours, raising the cumulative total to 1,088,196 confirmed laboratory cases since February 21, 2020.
