The newspaper "Al-Jumhuriya" reported that before capital control measures and the reason for their sudden proposal through a law of ambiguous content and unknown origin, and ahead of the anticipated visit of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation to Beirut, and before delving into electoral details and preliminary preparations for the May 15 elections, there is a scene that cannot be ignored or overlooked: the scene of fear that has entered every Lebanese home and has begun to disturb their peace. This is a scene that should be viewed as a warning for the ruling authority or what's left of it; if it still existed, it would have realized that the daily life in Lebanon has become symptomatic of the fact that this country has entered a phase of real chaos and destructive disorder with all its terrifying consequences that the Lebanese can no longer coexist with. It is a terrifying jungle, where fear is no longer limited to the poverty, need, and hunger suffered by the Lebanese citizen, nor is it merely about the devastating inflation and burning prices, nor about the pressure from the fabricated crises, nor about the queues in front of bakeries and fuel stations, or even about their food, health, and medicine security, but this fear has expanded to threaten personal security, making them vulnerable in their homes, families, shelters, and in the streets. This terrifying jungle is marked by a horrific increase in crime rates: murder, kidnapping, theft, armed chaos, drug trafficking, and intimidation around the clock, with daylight robberies. What is happening leaves no room for doubt that all taboos have fallen in this country, and Lebanon is now at the heart of this jungle ruled by chaos, where the Lebanese are effectively hostages to thieves and criminals.
In this absurdity, there's no authority to impose its respect and bear its responsibilities in providing at least minimal reassurance to its people, and in its absence, there are those who are orchestrating the death knell for the country after its financial, economic, and judicial demise, while it is scattered across conflicting political agendas. This situation is deepening and warning of deterioration to worse levels with more dangerous implications than those currently observed. In such an atmosphere, it is natural for the fearful citizen to turn to those in control, at the level of authority and its parties, but what can they do if their calamity is caused by those trying to make "hell" a reality, and if the chances for rescue, protection, and security are dwindling, if not nonexistent, with parties whose first and last concern is to adopt predatory impoverishment policies and exploit the crisis and its ramifications to settle political and electoral scores, thereby degenerating the country to the degree that the fate of the country and its people has become the price of electoral outcomes?
**Reforms Once Again**
In light of this frightening internal atmosphere, attention remains focused on external developments related to Lebanon, particularly regarding the anticipated practical translation of renewed Gulf openness towards Lebanon. Prime Minister Najib Mikati mentioned from Qatar about positive developments expected in this file soon, with the first step being the return of ambassadors from the Gulf Cooperation Council to Lebanon and the restoration of diplomatic relations severed for months. However, the international community's stance toward Lebanon has not changed regarding how this country can exit its crisis, as there remains only one way to achieve this, which is for the Lebanese side to undertake the required reforms. This was emphasized by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian from Qatar during recent talks with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, where Lebanon was part of the discussions. He stated that the discussion included the situation in Lebanon, and it was agreed that establishing security passes through the country's execution of reforms.
Diplomatic sources from the French capital told "Al-Jumhuriya": "The position emphasized by Minister Le Drian in Qatar reflects that Lebanon remains within the priorities of the French administration, despite the dramatic developments and changes imposed by the Russian-Ukrainian war." However, they indicated that "the French administration currently has no new plans regarding Lebanon; rather, it is monitoring the course of the electoral process which it sees as necessary to take place on time without any interference. It also stresses at the same time the importance of the Lebanese government making tangible progresses towards implementing reforms and accomplishing the awaited recovery plan, which Paris sees as crucial to be completed swiftly, as it forms the key to any international assistance to Lebanon."
**Two Scenarios**
Electorally, the electoral process is surrounded by glaring ambiguity. All parties concerned with this process view it as a given for its scheduled date of May 15. They have practically entered the last week of the period set for them until April 4 to finalize the formation of the lists that will compete on election day. However, everything that is happening in this context appears to be theoretically heading in the right direction; yet in reality, it collides with two parallel scenarios affecting the electoral scene and distorting the Lebanese mind: the first confirms that the parliamentary elections will take place on the scheduled date, and a new parliamentary and political landscape will emerge in Lebanon after May 15. The second scenario firmly asserts that these elections will not occur, and a new picture will emerge after May 15 that places Lebanon's fate at the mercy of black repercussions and scenarios on all levels.
These two scenarios are not unknown to all parties involved in the elections, nor is it hidden from these parties that these two scenarios are equally possible at present, with their scales balanced, and they will continue to govern the electoral scene for the 46 days leading up to the scheduled date for the elections on May 15. Faced with this existing balance between the two scenarios, a general state of confusion emerges, visibly manifesting symptoms in the performance of the partisan parties wary of one another, who find nothing before this reality but a preemptive escape forward, covering this escape by exchanging accusations of seeking to disrupt the elections, and trying through their preparations and their campaign action to absolve themselves from the accusation of disruption, suggesting that they are advocates of the first scenario, and working for these elections as if they are indeed assured to happen on time.
**Amal's Surprise at Doubt**
In this context, the Amal Movement expressed surprise at what it termed "some attempts to put obstacles and stir confusion and doubts about the upcoming electoral entitlement, which it affirms will take place on the scheduled date, urging all Lebanese to ignore the voices of skeptics, and emphasizing the necessity of active and massive participation from all segments of society in this entitlement that lays the foundation for political stability based on democracy and expression of opinion."
In the same vein, the "Development and Liberation Bloc," which met under the chairmanship of Speaker Nabih Berri, renewed its call "to the Lebanese, especially its followers in all regions of Lebanon, to participate widely in this significant electoral entitlement in Lebanon's history, in accordance with the rules and principles outlined in President Nabih Berri’s announcement regarding the electoral program for the Development and Liberation lists on March 14."
**Task Force**
The electoral file was the focus of meetings held by a delegation from the American Task Force for Lebanon in Beirut, where it emphasized that "the delegation's visit comes to hold meetings with civil society, opposition groups, non-governmental organizations, and others, to address two main issues: first, the economic situation and the collapse occurring within the country and how to address this situation, and second, the necessity to conduct the elections on time. We believe that elections can bring about change by introducing new faces to governance if the citizens exercise their right to vote." The delegation announced that it conveyed to Prime Minister Najib Mikati the importance of holding the elections on schedule, “and he confirmed to us that they will take place in May, and that the government will secure the necessary funding for them. We also discussed the necessity of ensuring transparency and respecting the voting right of expatriates, which we demanded. The Prime Minister showed all positivity on this issue.”
**The Capital Control Mine**
On another note, as expected, the deputies thwarted the attempt to pass the "Capital Control" law proposed by governmental entities during the session of the joint committees held yesterday, on the eve of the general parliamentary session scheduled for today at the UNESCO Palace, for which it has become certain that "Capital Control" is off its agenda. According to parliamentary sources for "Al-Jumhuriya," the atmosphere that prevailed in the parliamentary discussions regarding this proposal, which was presented by parties in the government but without adopting it, was fundamentally rejecting its laden content. This was a conclusion shared by all parties without exception. The sources indicated that the prevailing opinion in the committees' meeting was to return the ball to the government’s court again, reiterating that pursuing a policy of sneaking proposals is a sign of recklessness and manipulation of the parliament, and that matters of great importance should not be approached in this manner.
If the intent behind this proposal and its timing, just before the arrival of the IMF delegation in Beirut, was to imply that the government is working according to what has been agreed upon with the IMF, then this proposal, whether in its content or the manner in which it was presented, represented a "misstep" for which the governmental entities behind this proposal bear responsibility, along with its ambiguous content. Hence, the committees' recommendation concluded that the government must resolve the matter and prepare a capital control law project that respects Lebanon's reality and prioritizes depositors' rights. The committees advised the government to draft a coherent bill to present to the parliament for discussion and approval, while considering the paramount interest of depositors without exception.
**Berri’s Position**
In this context, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri’s position was reflected by the "Development and Liberation Bloc," affirming its "fixed and absolute rejection of any law that does not ensure the complete rights of depositors in banks and that does not infringe upon them under any title." This was reaffirmed by the Amal Movement in the statement from its political office yesterday, where it considered "that any discussion on the subject of capital control should be based on preserving depositors’ rights," emphasizing that "talking about any economic and financial 'recovery plan' is futile if it does not address people's needs and provide them with a safety net amid these harsh and difficult circumstances."
**Objectionable Stances**
A series of objectionable stances were recorded on the sidelines of the joint committees' meeting regarding the capital control proposal from various parliamentary orientations, all of which unanimously condemned the proposal, asserting that its sole purpose is not to address but to encroach upon depositors' money and legalize its seizure.
**Seizing Assets**
On another front, the French press agency reported from The Hague that the European Judicial Cooperation Unit "Eurojust" announced yesterday that France, Germany, and Luxembourg have frozen Lebanese assets worth 120 million euros (130 million dollars) following an investigation into a money laundering case, mentioning the seizure of 5 properties. The unit stated that the investigation targeted five suspects in money laundering and "embezzling public funds in Lebanon worth over 330 million dollars and 5 million euros, respectively, between 2002 and 2021." The statement did not specify the identity of these assets or the individuals connected to them. Meanwhile, in the internal judicial sphere, the attorney for the detained Raja Salameh submitted a request for release to Judge Nicolas Mansour, accompanied by the required documents to establish the method of payment for the properties in question, which was referred to Judge Ghada Aoun for consideration.
In the context of the judicial-financial struggle, it was reported yesterday that the Public Prosecution decided to retract the decision of the Public Prosecution in Mount Lebanon regarding the prohibition of transferring and shipping funds from several banks outside Lebanon, following the request made by lawyer Sokkar Hashim on behalf of the banks. The decision was sent to the General Directorate of Customs.
