Lebanon was on the verge before the last week of terrible explosions in the port of Beirut. The country recently shut down, after a spike in new cases crown. Lebanon had registered nearly 5,700 cases and 70 deaths as of this writing, but since the beginning of July in the wrong direction has been trending; And ‘it is written eight deaths in a single 24-hour period last week, about 14% of its total Covid victims at this time. More on the average citizen it has about the spiraling financial situation of the country have been (a concern that other emerging economies relate) the effect of acceleration of the pandemic. The explosion in Beirut only enhance the stability concerns a threat to long-term exposure of the country, while the immediate shift attention to the explosions consequences. Even before the pandemic, the World Bank estimated that 45 percent of Lebanese society would live in poverty this year. About 12% of GDP from remittances are the country and 19% from tourism (2018 numbers) -both the break abrupt global economic activity and the multiple attempts was hit hard to bring it back on track. Food shortages and rolling blackouts are daily lives of countless spilled Lebanese, whose purchasing power has fallen rapidly and dramatically. The Lebanese pound is now less than it was worth nearly 85 percent in the fall; the country’s banking system has been likened to a “Ponzi scheme”. De facto capital flow controls to manage money instead was from November, but failed to keep the situation under control. Of course, all these pale in comparison to the immediate destruction of an explosion of this magnitude. This is the same government that was about the economic decline of the country presides is now available for the management of emergency response. Violent protests swelled over the weekend. Three ministers, including the Minister of Justice, and nine members of parliament have resigned, but the demonstrations continue. When a country faced a wave of challenges that Lebanon is currently the case, have political differences are set aside to deal with the crisis at hand. But in Lebanon, this is easier said than done, under the current political system, the country’s president is a Maronite Christian, its Shiite parliament speaker and his Sunni prime minister to maintain a compromise solution for the promotion peace in Lebanese society. Over the years, Hezbollah and Iran proxy military groups in other parts of the Middle East, but a legitimate political group in an increasingly important role played in Lebanon. When adding up the results in a system of governance more about the concerns of the Lebanese civil addressing and especially vulnerable to corruption and nepotism. Which brings us to today. In normal times, the money the tragedy is often seen as the fastest way to support an affected country. Regional administrations and international humanitarian aid quickly available. But faced with the ten-year history of success in Lebanon of money, without actually implementing the reforms, there is money reluctance to throw the political elite. Any help will be forthcoming related to the economic and French President Emmanuel Macron political reforms he had already said as much during his trip to Lebanon. The problem is that those in power in Lebanon rock reforms, fearing that might jeopardize their position. The Elite is also far from convinced that the political system would have to sacrifice also created money, the variety of problems to bring necessary or solve the country is facing. This is not just a problem of the current government, but the large Lebanese political class. The silver lining is that the explosion could give cover to form a national unity government that could provide new hope and increase the possibility of real reform. Despite financial situations worse by spiraling COVID and the clear need for external support, the government was on a path to some failed forward before the explosion, the stalemate in Lebanese politics highlighted. And while the current international situation of the Lebanese governments are moved, they are not convinced that this new tragedy of Lebanon will force them to change his ways. The tragedies are always terrible. But if managed properly, they can also be the opportunity for much-needed change. If it is wise to Lebanon will not waste this crisis. Otherwise, Lebanon is to have on your way in the world a punishment years of any country … that in fact in 2020 to say something. Picture copyright by Myriam Boulos for TIME
Lebanon should take advantage of this devastating moment for a lasting change
