Lebanon in a limbo
- 22 Jun 2021
Lebanon is in the midst of a serious crisis. The economic situation has pushed tens of thousands people into poverty and the government has resigned amid growing public anger. When will this political crisis be over? EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell recently said in his statement that a struggle for power and strong mistrust is at the heart of the fight between political leaders and the deadlock over government formation for months (“Mistrust at core of Lebanon political crisis, says EU envoy,” Gulf Today, June 22).
The 2019–2021 protests are a series of civil protests taking place in Lebanon.
These national protests were triggered by planned taxes on petrol, tobacco, and VoIP calls on applications such as WhatsApp, corruption in the public sector, legislation that was perceived to shield the ruling class from accountability (such as banking secrecy) and failures of the government to provide basic services such as electricity, water, and sanitation.
The protests created a political crisis in Lebanon, with Prime Minister Saad Hariri tendering his resignation and echoing protesters’ demands for a government of independent specialists.
The top leaders locked horns over the shape of the government while the country’s economic problems, unfolding since late 2019, worsened.
The EU foreign policy chief was in Lebanon for two days where he met political, security and military leaders.
Dina El Din
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