Beirut's suffering is a direct result of a failed political system in need of overhaul
The Lebanese government has been unable to provide security, electricity, a banking system or safety from life-terminating waste, writes Mina Al-Oraibi, yet it can muster force to suppress protests
For the Lebanese and those who love Lebanon, this has been a week of mourning and grief. No words can adequately describe the extent of pain and suffering that has been felt by those who lost family, friends, homes and memories. The explosion of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that tore through Beirut last Tuesday shattered lives and dreams. Lebanon and its people were already struggling before the blast, but somehow carrying on. Now, even coping seems like a stretch.
Among those who are mourned is Sahar Fares, a 25-year-old member of the Lebanese civil defence unit, which was the initial group of responders to arrive at the Beirut port to tackle the first fire, only to be killed by the explosion that followed.
Sahar symbolised the best of Lebanon: beautiful, bold and willing to put her life in danger in the pursuit of saving others. Her family have subsequently shared photos and videos of Sahar at her happiest, at work and at a party with her beloved fiance Gilbert. Instead of preparing for her wedding, she was laid to rest in a white casket. A life filled with beauty and potential was gone in an instant, extinguished by the sheer negligence and incompetence of others.
Sahar symbolises Lebanon, so filled with beauty and potential, but destroyed by negligence at best, but more likely by criminal corruption. Sahar's death and Beirut's suffering are a direct result of a failed political system.
While anger rages against the ruling class, borne out of this failed political system, it became quickly apparent that the government of Hassan Diab could not stay in power. Hugely unpopular, Mr Diab gave a speech on Saturday saying that he would oversee early elections and hand over power. The speech was contrite, lacking in empathy for his own countrymen and completely lacking in self-awareness. The idea that "early elections" would address the catastrophic situation exemplifies how removed Mr Diab is from the heart-breaking realities on the ground.
Protesters in Beirut have been clashing for days with police since last week's explosions. AFP
Firstly, everyone who suffered a loss from the Beirut attack expects some sort of accountability. “Voting out” politicians is not an acceptable form of accountability for an event of this magnitude. Secondly, elections would not bring about a solution. Elections without a complete system overhaul would reinforce the current system of patronage. Political parties playing on identity politics and long-held grievances would quickly swoop in to capitalise on divisions in Lebanon to perhaps bring in fresh faces with the same archaic approach to leadership based on narrow political interest and identity politics.
Successive coalition governments that have been formed from competing political groups have in effect been "veto-wielding", rather than working together. Hezbollah and its allies are the greatest culprits of political manoeuvres within government that have largely held Lebanon hostage as it lurched from one crisis to another.
One of the perpetual lies told about Lebanon is that it is a sectarian country. One that can only be ruled by a group of leaders each claiming to “protect” his or her own sect. There is nothing further from the truth. No single group has fared better in the country because of sectarian politics. On the other hand, a national protest movement has been calling for overarching reforms since last year.
Moreover, volunteers who have worked night and day in Beirut in the past seven days have not been moved based on sect or religion. Rather, active civic society action has been galvanised out of patriotism and a love of the country. That energy, despite the pain and loss, is what will propel Lebanon forward. But it will be destroyed if a sectarian system of rule is allowed to continue.
A photograph of the missing silo employee Ghassan Hasrouty pictured with his wife Ibtissam in the family home. Reuters
Elie Hasrouty and Tatiana Hasrouty pose for a photograph as they wait for news about their father Ghassan Hasrouty. Reuters
Tatiana Hasrouty uses her mobile phone next to the bed of her father Ghassan Hasrouty, a missing silo employee. Reuters
Elie Hasrouty talks on the phone as he waits for news about his father Ghassan Hasrouty, a missing silo employee. Reuters
A photograph shows a missing silo employee Ghassan Hasrouty posing with his family. Reuters
Introducing new laws to reform the voting and governing systems of the country would take time and would require buy-in from some of the current political actors. This is not likely to come in time. However, no shortcuts will work.
The aid conference for Lebanon hosted on Sunday by French President Emmanuel Macron and the UN said that relief would be distributed through global organisations. This is not a viable long-term solution. While acceptable for immediate aid distribution, it cannot be the mechanism for recovery and reconstruction. The state should be responsible for the rebuilding of Beirut. Undercutting the state by handing over responsibilities to the UN – or France – is not a solution.
The nation state is a concept we should protect. The fact that aid, the investigation into the explosion, the clean-up of the city are all bypassing normal channels represents the failure of this government, and deals a series of blows to Lebanon's state institutions. There are more than enough competent and able Lebanese who can lead their country – if given the chance.
A Lebanese youth hugs French President Emmanuel Macron during a visit to the Gemmayzeh neighbourhood, which has suffered extensive damage due to a massive explosion in the Lebanese capital. AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron (C) visiting the devastated site of the explosion at the port of Beirut, Lebanon. Macron arrived to Lebanon to show support after a massive explosion on 04 August
French President Emmanuel Macron listens to a resident as he visits a devastated street of Beirut. AP Photo
French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he visits the devastated site of the explosion at the port of Beirut. EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he visits a devastated street of Beirut. AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron surrounded by Lebanese servicemen, visits the devastated site of the explosion at the port of Beirut. AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaks with a woman as he visits the Gemayzeh neighborhood, which suffered extensive damage from an explosion on Tuesday. AP Photo
French President Emmanuel Macron visits the Gemayzeh neighborhood, which suffered extensive damage from an explosion on Tuesday that hit the seaport of Beirut. AP Photo
French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he arrives at the devastated site of the explosion at the port of Beirut. REUTERS
French President Emmanuel Macron visits the devastated site of the explosion at the port of Beirut. REUTERS
French President Emmanuel Macron greets people during a visit to the Gemmayzeh neighbourhood, which has suffered extensive damage due to a massive explosion in the Lebanese capital. AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron wears a protective face mask as he meets Lebanon's President Michel Aoun following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon. Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron greets people during a visit to the Gemmayzeh neighbourhood, which has suffered extensive damage due to a massive explosion in the Lebanese capital, on August 6, 2020. French President Emmanuel Macron visited shell-shocked Beirut, pledging support and urging change after a massive explosion devastated the Lebanese capital in a disaster that has sparked grief and fury. / AFP / ANWAR AMRO
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to the crowd during a visit to the Gemmayzeh neighbourhood, which has suffered extensive damage due to a massive explosion in the Lebanese capital, on August 6, 2020. French President Emmanuel Macron visited shell-shocked Beirut, pledging support and urging change after a massive explosion devastated the Lebanese capital in a disaster that has sparked grief and fury. / AFP / ANWAR AMRO
French President Emmanuel Macron, center, gestures as he visits the Gemayzeh neighborhood, which suffered extensive damage from an explosion on Tuesday that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he visits a devastated street of Beirut, Lebanon, on August 6, 2020 a day after a massive explosion devastated the Lebanese capital in a disaster that has sparked grief and fury. French President Emmanuel Macron visited shell-shocked Beirut Thursday, pledging support and urging change after a massive explosion devastated the Lebanese capital in a disaster that has sparked grief and fury. / AFP / POOL / Thibault Camus
A video grab shows French President Emmmanuel Macron, left, speaking with a member of a French rescue team which arrived overnight to support relief efforts at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron visits the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut. Tele Liban / Reuters
Lebanon's President Michel Aoun meets French President Emmanuel Macron on his arrival at the airport in Beirut. Dalati Nohra/Reuters
Lebanon's President Michel Aoun welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron on his arrival at the airport in Beirut. Dalati Nohra/Reuters
"Lebanon is not alone," Mr Macron tweeted shortly after landing. Dalati Nohra/Reuters
The French president is the first foreign leader to visit the Lebanese capital since an explosion on Tuesday killed at least 137 people. Dalati Nohra / Reuters
Mr Macron said Lebanon was facing a political and economic crisis, and that it would continue to suffer unless it enacted reforms. Reuters
The nation state is a concept we should protect. The fact that aid, the investigation into the explosion, the clean-up of the city are all bypassing normal channels represents the failure of this government
Soon after images of Mr Macron visiting the streets of Beirut were broadcast around the world, an online petition began to circulate calling for the return of the French mandate to Lebanon. Angry voices called for a return to "foreign rule" due to the failure of Lebanon's ruling elite. And yet, these are voices speaking largely from anger and an overwhelming sense of disappointment, not conviction.
Over 60,000 people have signed the petition stating that “Lebanon’s officials have clearly shown a total inability to secure and manage the country. With a failing system, corruption, terrorism and militia, the country just reached its last breath. We believe Lebanon should go back under the French mandate in order to establish a clean and durable governance”.
What greater insult could be given to national leaders than to say that a country prefers foreign rule to that of its own rulers. Consecutive Lebanese governments have failed to provide security, electricity, a banking system or safety from life-terminating waste. But, unsurprisingly, it can muster up its force against protesters with the might of a "strong state".
That too is not a solution. There is no shortcut to the need for structural reform and an overhaul of a political system that has passed it use by date.
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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A UK report on youth social media habits commissioned by advocacy group Volteface found a quarter of young people were exposed to illegal drug dealers on social media.
The poll of 2,006 people aged 16-24 assessed their exposure to drug dealers online in a nationally representative survey.
Of those admitting to seeing drugs for sale online, 56 per cent saw them advertised on Snapchat, 55 per cent on Instagram and 47 per cent on Facebook.
Cannabis was the drug most pushed by online dealers, with 63 per cent of survey respondents claiming to have seen adverts on social media for the drug, followed by cocaine (26 per cent) and MDMA/ecstasy, with 24 per cent of people.
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
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Sole survivors
Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
