Reuters — Writing by Ghaida Ghantous — Lebanon wants to negotiate fuel imports with Kuwait to help Beirut cope with an economic and financial crisis, Lebanon’s internal security chief said in remarks published on Tuesday. Abbas Ibrahim told Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rai he had discussed the matter with Kuwaiti officials during a visit to the oil-exporting Gulf Arab state this week along with other “shared ideas” that could help alleviate Lebanon’s crisis. “We want to purchase 100% of our requirements from Kuwait without going through agents or companies looking to make a profit … this is a purely commercial matter and I hope there will be no obstacles to it,” Al Rai quoted Ibrahim as saying. He said the request would be raised to Kuwait’s ruler.
Lebanon is suffering a dire financial crisis and hard currency liquidity crunch. The Lebanese pound has lost some 80% of its value since October. There was no immediate comment from Kuwaiti officials on the request. Abbas, in the newspaper interview, declined to elaborate on what other assistance Lebanon may have sought. Gulf states have long channelled funds into Lebanon’s fragile economy but are alarmed by the rising influence of Hezbollah, a powerful group backed by their arch-rival Iran. They appear loath now to help ease Beirut’s worst financial crisis in decades, with a senior official in the United Arab Emirates last month saying Lebanon was paying the price of deteriorating ties with wealthy Gulf Arab neighbours.
Kuwait is seeking to bolster its own finances amid low oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic, and has been rapidly depleting its General Reserves Fund to plug a budget deficit. Another leading Kuwaiti newspaper, Al Qabas, quoted sources as saying it would be difficult for Kuwait at this time to consider supporting Lebanon through a central bank deposit. Source: Reuters (Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Mark Potter)
No change in Lebanon yet more repression of activists
BY YUSUF SELMAN İNANÇ — Amid monthslong protests against corruption, economic deterioration and currency devaluation, Lebanese authorities are blamed for suppressing dissident voices. Rights groups on Monday condemned the Lebanese government for employing state means to crack down on activists. Lebanon has been dragged into political chaos and struggling to find a way out. Yet, despite the calls and mass demonstrations, the government has not taken any concrete steps to respond to its people. A coalition of rights groups said Lebanon was violating free speech. The Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression in Lebanon issued a statement criticizing the government for arresting 3,599 people since 2015 on charges of defamation. “Instead of heeding protesters’ calls for accountability, the authorities are waging a campaign of repression against people who expose corruption and rightfully criticize the government’s significant failings,” the statement read. “Powerful political and religious figures have increasingly used the country’s criminal insult and defamation laws as a tool for retaliation and repression against critics.” The coalition also underlined that social media posts are followed by the government and dozens of people were interrogated over their posts on several social media platforms, including Twitter.
